Doctor Phoenix and Davy Russell© Photo Healy Racing
There was a quick graded race double for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell at Naas as Doctor Phoenix took the Paddy's Rewards Chase.
The money may have been for the other Elliott runner in this Grade 3 event, Ball D'Arc (11/10 favourite, finished lame), but he failed by some way to come up to expectations, finishing last.
Another Elliott hope, Tell Us More (ultimately a well-beaten fourth), shaped as if he might spring a surprise from the third last.
However, by the time they got to the next it was all Doctor Phoenix, and he eventually had thirteen lengths in hand over Alisier D'Irlande.
Elliott and Russell were on the mark earlier with Hardline
"It worked out grand. I was a bit disappointed with Ball D'Arc as he never travelled at all," said Elliott.
"I said to Davy 'if you are flat out going past me first time I'll be happy' because he needs an end to end gallop. Thankfully that worked out grand.
"He only cost us ten grand. His job is done now and if he never wins again we're happy.
"There is a race in a few weeks time for him at Navan. He definitely won't be going to Cheltenham — not if I have my way anyway."
(GC & EM)
