Elliott's stranglehold on Down Royal proceedings continues with Ash win

Galway Plate hero Ash Tree Meadow confirmed Ballybrit form with Visionrian in the match race for the Grade 2 racingtv.com/freetrial Chase at Down Royal.

With a twenty five length win in the hands of Jack Kennedy Ash Tree Meadow was maintaining Gordon Elliott's stranglehold on proceedings - five from five on the card thus far.

For Eamon Waters' Alymer Stud the latest Cullentra win was achieved with the minimum of fuss, from the front, more or less all done as a contest from three out.

On five winners here and two in Gowran Park, Elliott said: "A great day but, as I said before, I am very lucky with the horses I have and all the staff. I'm delighted for all the owners too."

On Ash Tree Meadow, he commented: "I don't think he wants winter heavy ground.

"We didn't put him in the John Durkan. We will probably give him a break now as he has been in all summer and we will train him back for some of the Grand Nationals next year.

"I could run him in the Grand National (Aintree) in the spring.

Amendement to Elliott quote on Ash Tree Meadow:

"We were going to go to the American Grand National with him, but he is a French-bred and couldn't go with his bloods."

(MG & EM)