Fury Road lands another Grade 1 for Elliott

Fury Road powered clear of his Cullentra House stablemate Run Wild Fred in the closing stages to score an impressive victory the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Troytown winner and 9/4 favourite Run Wild Fred made most of the running in the three-miler for trainer Gordon Elliott but was joined by the 7/1 shot Fury road after the second last as Vanillier also tried to stay with them under pressure.

Fury Road went on as they bypassed the last fence and asserted in good style in the closing stages to record an eight-length win.

Elliott had saddled four of the last six winners of the Grade One contest, with No More Heroes, Shattered Love, Delta Work and Battleoverdoyen all successful in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud and Fury Road's win was just as pleasing for the Summerhill man.

"That was great. He disappointed me the last day, I thought he had a great chance in the Drinmore, but he kind of pulled up when he got to the front," recalled Elliott.

"I put cheekpieces on him today and it seemed to work well. Jack was sweet on him though and the bit of drier ground probably suited him.

"His novice hurdle form was very good. If you go back to that run against Monkfish and Latest Exhibition, that was very good form.

"Jack said when he got to the front at the second last he said 'oh no he's there too soon' but in fairness to him he came up the hill well.

"Jack has always been riding well and if we can keep him in one piece that's the thing.

"I wasn't here last year because I had Covid, so this week has been pretty good! It's been a great week and I hope we're not finished yet," concluded Elliott.

Elliott had to settle for second in the next Grade 1 on the card at Leopardstown where the Bective Stud-owned Zanahiyr was beaten by Willie Mullins' Sharjah in the Matheson Hurdle.

Tony Martin did provide more cheer for Meath punters in the Novice Handicap hurdle when Good Time Jonny scored at odds of 6/1 under jockey Kevin Sexton.

Martin's mount chased down Mars Harper on the run-in in the two-and-a-half mile contest to record a two-length win.

“It was a good performance. He had me frightened as it was the plan to be mid-division but with lads like that all you can do is leave it to them,” said Martin.

“He said he wasn't carrying him the way he wanted and he just gave him a chance, it all worked out well. He quickened up well.

“Today has been in my head for the past three or four months. Unfortunately the boys couldn't get over, they were all set to come, but they'll celebrate anyway," suggested the trainer.

Trim trainer Thomas Gibney saddled Regina Dracones to her fourth career win and made it two wins from just three starts over fences when landing the Limerick Racecourse Vets Novice Handicap Chase.

The mare was never too far from the pace but was strongly pressed by Castle Town House from the second last in this extended 2m6f event.

The 3/1 chance rallied strongly in the closing stages to get the better of that rival by a-length-and-a-quarter with Sir Bob keeping on a further four-and-three-quarter lengths back in third.

"Tom was sweet on her coming here today and he told me to ride her whatever way I felt," said jockey Jack Foley.

"I got a quick walk around when I got here and I felt going wide would be the best of the ground. I got taken on leaving the back straight, but she jumps well and I said I’d use that to my advantage over the last two. She stuck her head out and has a big heart. It was good placing by Tom.”

Elliott was also on the mark in Limerick when Teahupoo justified 8/15 favouritism to land the Sporting Limerick Hurdle by half a length from Quilixious.