Elliott strikes with Fred Gordon Elliott, out of luck in the feature event, gained some compensation at Navan this afternoon when Run Wild Fred ran out a game winner of the John Lynch Carpets Maiden Hurdle. The Gigginstown gelding was prominent throughout in the two-and-a-half mile contest and jumped up to dispute over the third last. He edged ahead of 5/4 favourite Dinny Lacey at the next and despite an untidy jump at the final flight found plenty on the run-in to repel Joshua Webb by half a length. The runner-up had been hampered coming to the last as eventual winner Last Minute Man drifted left. Joshua Webb also made a slight mistake at the final flight but kept on well to push the winner. 11/4 shot Run Wild Fred had won a point-to-point and two bumpers. He was third to Rocket Lad on his hurdling debut at Gowran in early October. Elliott said:- “He’s a grand big honest horse and is a big staying chaser. That’s what he is and he’ll win his races.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
