Cheltenham and Sligo winners for Elliott

He's only back a little over a month but trainer Gordon Elliott has now had winners in Ireland, Scotland, USA and today added Cheltenham to the list since his return from suspension.

However, he may have wondered if any of his runners were going to win today as he had a series of second-placed finishers at both Sligo and Cheltenham - until the last race at each track.

The first Friday winner arrived in the 4.35 at Sligo with Minella Crooner and, just like the bus, antoher winner popped up when Top Bandit won the last at Cheltenham.

The concluding Foundation Developments Maiden Hurdle went to the 15/8 favourite Top Bandit under Davy Russell.

Successful trainer Gordon Elliott said: “I thought that after he won at Downpatrick the last time we’d come here and we thought the owner would be here but unfortunately he’s on his holidays in Dubai. They’re big supporters of the yard so it’s great to get a nice winner for them.

“It’s great to be back at Cheltenham, I love training winners here as everyone knows and when you’ve got the likes of Davy Russell and Jack Kennedy riding for you here it just makes life easy.

"I normally have a few here and at the November meeting but Cheltenham in March is all I care about.

“Davy is a great man, he’s 42 years of age and I wasn’t even questioning if he’s coming back. It just shows you how good he is - he’s a different class. Jack (Kennedy, jockey) is back and he’s flying now - he’s suspended today but he’ll be back tomorrow.”

Winning jockey Davy Russell added: “That was great, it gave me a good feeling. I love this place."

"I was always happy that I'd get back. He's a grand horse, it was a lovely performance and he jumped fantastic.

"He showed the same pace that he's shown us at home.”