Cardcounter gives Elliott a winning pair Cardcounter stayed on strongly to annex the Kilkea Castle Hotel & Gold Resort Maiden Hurdle in Punchestown to give Gordon Elliott a brace of winners on the card. A fall at the first flight on racecourse debut at Naas was shrugged off by the 6/1 shot who was backed in from 11s. As the race unfolded in the straight, three horses held claims - the leader Dr Eggman, Champagne Kid and Cardcounter between them in third. Cardcounter came with a renewed effort to close in jumping the last and grabbed a narrow initiative inside the final furlong. From there, he really found his stride to go on by five and a-half lengths at 6/1. Dr Eggman, the 11/10 favourite, had to settle for the runner-up spot and was half a length up on another market springer in Champagne Kid (11/1 - 4/1). Sam Ewing said: “He’s a nice horse. He was unlucky to fall early the last day. “He’s loved that ground and trip, and has done it well at the line. “He got a little bit outpaced turning in, we didn’t go that quick, but he’s done it nicely in the end. “He’s a fine, big horse and I’d say he’ll have no problem jumping a fence.” Elliott was also responsible for Fortunedefortunata in the Grand National Trial. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
