Elliott & Donoghue enjoy good Fortune

Gordon Elliott’s horses are in excellent shape at the present and, following his four-timer at Down Royal yesterday, added another win at the venue today, in the opening Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle with 9/4f Mega Fortune

The son of Soldier Of Fortune was effectively brought down at the second flight on hurdles debut at Thurles last month but today, again under Keith Donoghue, had better fortune and once produced to lead at the second last, quickened smartly for a 13 lengths win over Bobabout

Donoghue carried 2lbs overweight at 11st but Elliott was quick to praise the efforts of his jockey, later saying “in fairness to Keith (Donoghue) he has been with me from the start and we've had a few ups and downs. He is riding well and working hard. I think he is having his best season from when he was a 7lb claimer.

“We decided 11 stone is as light as he is going to do because he's a big fellow and let him do 2lbs overweight today because that's the confidence we have in him."

Regarding impressive winner Mega Fortune, he added “it was nicer to win here than in Thurles as it was better prize money. He's a nice horse and I'd say he will come on a good bit. He was very green through the race. I'd say he is going to win plenty of races.

"I'd imagine he would go to Fairyhouse. He didn't have much of a race there, it was only a schooling hurdle for him.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham