Neck and neck - two for Gordon and two for Willie

The pattern continues - Willie Mullins has two winners and Gordon Elliott equals that with two winners and in so doing maintains a lead of approx €270,000 in the race for the 2016 / 2017 National Hunt trainers' title.

That was the story at Clonmel today where the champions trainer won two maiden hurdles - the second and third races - while Gordon Elliott won the opening race and the last race.

Gordon took the opener with Runfordave which may be heading for next month’s Cheltenham Festival afterprevious wins in a Down Royal bumper and a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The double was completd when Lisa O'Neill partnered Monkshood to victory in the bumper.

Between win and place money today Gordon Elliott added €14,410 to his tally while Wille Mullins added €14,552. Going into today's action Gordon Elliott was approx €270,000 ahead of Willie Mullins

(The champion trainer will be determined by the amount of prizemoney (win and place) accumulated for the season which is due to conclude at the end of April.)

The Gordon Elliott-trained Cheltenham contender Apple's Jade is likely to run next week in the Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown.

 

Apple's Jade is on course to have her next start in the Listed Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.