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- Elliott & Russell double-up with Changer
Donal Murphy
Elliott & Russell double-up with Changer
The Game Changer (right) is ridden out to beat Flaxen Flare
© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the second with Boot Camp Gordon Elliott, Davy Russell and Gigginstown House Stud quickly doubled-up in the third, the www.thetote.com Hurdle, as The Game Changer got the better of stable mate Flaxen Flare
Outclassed on his last two starts at the Punchestown Festival in April, the son of Arcadio was sent off the 5/2 favourite this evening.
Settled behind the leaders, the now thirteen time winner was pushed along to challenge from three out.
He had a good battle with Flaxen Flare from the next, with just half a length separating them at the line.
The runner-up was returned at 3/1 under Barry Geraghty, while Chateau Conti (10/3) was another half a length back in third on his first start for Joseph O'Brien.
Elliott said afterwards: "We were worried about him staying but Davy gave him a good ride. Thankfully it all worked out grand.
"It's hard to place him like everyone of those horses in that race - that's why I ran four of them.
"He has the engine but he just needs that ground."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham