Staffordshire Knot (left, under Harry Swan)© Photo Healy Racing
In-form Gordon Elliott completed a Fairyhouse treble today, as the triple English Grand National winner landed the concluding Jump Into January @ Fairyhouse Bumper with the Harry Swan-partnered Staffordshire Knot (9/4).
Maiden hurdle-placed on his belated debut in November, the six-year-old today quickened nicely in testing conditions to beat Recoded by three and a half lengths.
Elliott was earlier successful with the Jack Kennedy-partnered pair Mollys Mango and Riviere D'etel and, previously, had won seven races at Leopardstown's Christmas festival and another one at Limerick's corresponding fixture.
Following his 11th winner of the festive period, the trainer said “Staffordshire Knot a nice horse. He might not be a winners' bumper horse as he's more of a jumping horse and I'd imagine he'll go hurdling now.
“He stays well and he picked up well there.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
