Elliott happy to see King progressing again

Victorious in the opener, the J P McManus silks were relegated to the number two spot in the second event at Leopardstown when Gigginstown House Stud's King Of Kingsfield brought a sequence of placings to a close with success in the Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle.

McManus' 5/6 shot Mirazur West went under by six lengths to the Gordon Elliott-trained and Jack Kennedy-ridden King Of Kingsfield (15/8). The latter was runner-up in the Grade One Royal Bond last time, 23 days back.

In the aftermath Elliott remarked:- “That was great. We were riding him all wrong and the last day we changed our minds in the Grade 1.

“Jack was delighted with the way he settled, and he jumped well, so we're very happy.

“He's not a bad horse and to be honest he had disappointed me up until now as I always thought he was a proper horse. He might just come good now, I'd say the ground could be key to him as well.”

When asked if he could go to the Dublin Racing Festival he added:-

“I'd imagine he'll head for a Grade 1 there all being well. He's got a lot of speed and I'd say he's a horse that could win on the Flat as well.”

(GC & EM)