Down dominance, as Elliott and Gilligan win again Jockey Gilligan steered four Down Royal winners for Gordon Elliott today with his third coming on Favori De Champdou (5/6f) in the Bluegrass Stamm 30 Chase, with the trainer registering a timely cross-card five-timer. Both men had contrasting fortunes at Cheltenham last week and while Elliott endured a torrid week, jockey Gilligan enjoyed two winners and landed the festival’s concluding race on Wodhooh, to give Elliott his sole success. Today’s racing began with a Wexford winner for Elliott and at Down Royal, Gilligan scored on Timmy Tuesday, Cher Tara and Lightkeeper, with Gigginstown House Stud’s Favori De Champdou comfortably landing his three-runner heat. Gilligan reported "Favori De Champdou was entitled to go around and do that. The ground was a big issue going out but it is great to get his head in front. He's a top horse for those big handicaps over a trip and that will do his confidence the world of good. "Hopefully he’ll go back into the bigger handicaps now and, with a bit of luck, should pick up one or two of them. “The ground is pretty good out there, and is touching good to firm in places." Quotes from Michael Graham
