Gordon Elliott moved a step closer to winning the Irish trainers title when Champagne Classic won at Punchestown.
Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle
Race Result
1st Champagne Classic 14/1
2nd Penhill 2/1 fav
3rd Tin Soldier 8/1
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Race Report
Gordon Elliott moved a step closer to winning the Irish trainers title when Champagne Classic won the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.
Sent off at 14/1 for the Grade One contest, Michael O'Leary of Gigginstown Stud, his owners, said he was the worst horse he owned after he landed the Martin Pipe Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race which sealed Elliott's top trainer award for the week.
This victory added a further €59,000 to Elliott's push for a first trainers title in Ireland with his championship rival Willie Mullins finishing second with Penhill.
Monalee and Tin Soldier took them along and they were still in the firing line rounding the turn for home, the former becoming the first to crack.
Tin Soldier was still in there fighting at the last but a fluent leap from Champagne Classic sealed matters and he strode on for a convincing victory from Penhill, who crept into the contest quietly under Ruby Walsh.
Reaction
Cooper said: "He did it well. The better ground has brought the best out of him.
"He was a good winner at the Cheltenham Festival and he's stepped up in into Grade One level.
"He's a fantastic horse."
Elliott said: "I'm surprised he won but he's a nice horse and he's going to be a nice chaser.
"He keeps trying and he seems to like that better ground."
