Hunting puts Labaik in top order

"He's a good horse. He has been hunting the last couple of weeks," revealed very much in-form Gordon Elliott after his 16/1 chance Labaik landed the Buy Your 2017 Annual Badge Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown under Keith Donoghue.

"He's been tricky and didn't come out of the stalls but he has a serious engine," added Elliott.

The grey failed to start on his debut for Elliott and owner Aidan O'Ryan at Laytown on September 13th. However he was on much better terms with himself here as the 25,000 pound Goffs UK August Sale 2016 buy smoothly disposed of Top Ofthe Ra by five and a half lengths.

"He'll come on a ton for that and he's going to win a lot of races," concluded Elliott.

(GC & EM)