Hardline completes another Elliott double Gordon Elliott saddled another double and the red-hot trainer made it 20 winners in the last three weeks as Hardline took the bumper at Thurles. The Arcadio gelding won his sole point-to-point in fine style but has taken a little time to find his feet since switched to bumpers. He was well-fancied when finishing in mid-division in the Land Rover at Punchestown, and stayed on into third when reappearing after a summer break at Fairyhouse. The 5/2 chance led early in the straight but needed to be ridden out by Luke McGuinness as fellow co-favourite Mr Showtime refused to give up. A length and a half separated the pair at the line, with a 15 lengths gap back to Chosen Hour in third. The Longwood trainer was on the mark earlier in the day with Dounikos in the 2m7f maiden hurdle. Elliott said, "He'll win plenty races and I'd say he'll go jumping a hurdle now. He has more speed than a stayer. "Luke was in front too soon there but for a 7lbs claim we'll get plenty use out of it." (TW & AM)
