Elliott and O'Regan making hay on Hatton's Grace day Gordon Elliott and Denis O’Regan got on the scoreboard for a second time on the day at Fairyhouse as Smoking Gun landed the Grade B BARONERACING.COM Porterstown Handicap Chase. Elliott triumphed earlier with the Davy Russell-ridden Fil Dor, whilst O’Regan had taken the Drinmore half-an-hour before on Beacon Edge for Noel Meade. Just a week after a first fence fall in the Troytown Chase at Navan, former Gigginstown House Stud and Joseph O’Brien runner Smoking Gun returned fresh and well for this marathon heat. Sweet-travelling The Dabbler was shaping like a winner from some way out, but the now David Barnard and Nick Courtney-owned Smoking Gun was creeping into it nicely just in behind. When asked to go and win his race the victorious eight-year-old did so nicely, staying on well on the run-in to beat The Dabbler and Fairyhill Run by three lengths and three and a half lengths. "We thought he might run a nice race in the Troytown last week but he fell at the first and Denis gave him a brilliant ride,” said Elliott. "He was in a dispersal Sale out of Gigginstown, and we bought him for these type of races and to have a runner in Cheltenham and all these places. The Irish Grand National would be the aim and he could go for the Kim Muir (at Cheltenham) too. "I'm delighted for David (Barnard) and a very good friend of mine Mark Madden, who used to ride, owns a leg of him so it is great for them." The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Eurobot (GB), trained by Noel Meade, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. B.J. Cooper, rider of Eurobot (GB) trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled. (TW & EM)
