Elliott doubles up with Missy Tata

Gold Cup winning trainer Gordon Elliott recorded a double at Punchestown today as his Missy Tata under Jack Kennedy, easily justified 6/4 favouritism in the Setanta Sports Mares Novice Hurdle.

Kennedy, out of luck in an earlier race on short-head runner-up Jury Duty moved the French bred daughter of Astarabad into contention on the inner entering the home straight and in the end comfortably saw off the challenge of Ria D'etel by nine lengths.

Elliott, earlier successful with Bright New Dawn later stated “she's not a bad mare. She came home with a problem after Fairyhouse (in November) and we were tight enough going to Cheltenham and she wasn't fit enough.

“I'm delighted for Jack after getting beaten earlier on and he gave her a grand ride and didn't panic.

“She loves soft ground and could be a mare to go to France. I'll talk to the owners and make plans.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson