News Title-chasing Gordon Elliott in pole position after big-race Punchestown double

Title-chasing Gordon Elliott in pole position after big-race Punchestown double

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Gordon Elliott struck back in the race to be crowned this season's champion National Hunt trainer in Ireland by saddling a Grade One double on the second day of the Punchestown Festival.

The Cullentra handler headed into the showpiece fixture with a lead of over €400,000, but the time the opening day of the Festival came to an end, perennial champion trainer Willie Mullins had cut the gap to €259,655.

Horse Racing Ireland confirmed that the deficit is now €276,780 after day two.

Mullins landed the first blow on Wednesday, with C'est Jersey (7-1) leading home stablemate Battleford for a one-two in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle.

However, the tide began to turn after 14-1 shot Champagne Classic provided Elliott with his first top-level success of the week in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle.

It could all have been so different had the Mullins-trained Djakadam not been beaten a short head in a dramatic conclusion to the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old still picked up €50,000 for finishing second behind Sizing John, closing the gap to €218,780.

But Elliott then completed his big-race brace with Fayonagh, who had little trouble following up her Champion Bumper success as she dominated from the front in the Racing Post Champion INH Flat Race.

With her stable companion Poli Roi also contributing to the kitty by finishing third, and the Mullins-trained Carter McKay picking up small change after finishing sixth of seven runners, Elliott further stretched his advantage.

With Elliott not represented, Mullins had a chance to end the day on a high in the concluding Weatherbys General Stud Book EBF Mares Flat Race, but Mystic Theatre had to make do with minor honours and €10,000 after finishing a close-up second behind Minutestomidnight.

Paddy Power eased Elliott to 30-100 from 2-7 favourite to claim the title. Mullins, who still has plenty of guns to fire, is 9-4 from 5-2.