Elliott doubles-up with another market drifter

The Three Sixes completed a quick double for Gordon Elliott, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.

Just as was the case in the opener, the winner proved easy-to-back, going off a 5/1 chance from early shows of 11/4.

Bought for just E5,000 at the Tattersalls Derby Sale in June of 2021, the Westerner gelding was third on debut at Leopardstown in March and since changed ownership.

Now in the colours of the McNeill & Stone families, he was settled behind the leaders by Davy Russell and took closer order after the third last.

He travelled strongly on the outer approaching the next and was ridden to the front after that flight, keeping on well on the run-in, coming home a length-and-a-half to the good.

Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore were again responsible for the favourite, with Senor Chief returned a well-backed even money chance (5/2 early).

A point-to-point winner for Colin Bowe, he ultimately had to settle for second after hitting two out.

The front pair were three-and-three-parts of a length ahead of IfIwerearichman (100/1) in third, with the Paul Nolan trained gelding running a fine race after attempting to make all.

Lisa O'Neill, representing Elliott, said: "He did it really nicely and Davy seemed really happy with him. He handled the ground really well and obviously it's his first time over hurdles.

"We haven't seen him since he finished third behind Ballybawn Belter so he turned the form around and proved he has done well with the bit of time he needed. It's also great for the owners. They're good supporters of the yard and it's lovely for them to have another nice horse."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes