Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott
Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott

Limerick review: More glory for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell


Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell continued their remarkable run as Lackaneen Leader won the Kerry Group EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle at Limerick.

Elliott claimed the leading trainer award at last week's Cheltenham Festival after saddling eight winners, while Russell walked away as the leading jockey with four victories.

Lackaneen Leader was a 4-1 shot for this Grade Three test and it briefly looked as if Russell might have allowed Denis Hogan too much rope on Moyhenna, who led into the straight and was on a hat-trick.

However, Elliott's mare found plenty for pressure and prevailed by a length and a quarter, with Court Artist back in third.

Elliott said: "She is honest but I was worried about the ground. Davy gave her a great ride as we said we'd keep her out wide and not get crowded. She jumped great.

"Whatever she does this year is only a bonus as she has the size to jump a fence. She's a nice mare and has got her black type, so we're delighted. I'm not sure where we go next, Fairyhouse or Punchestown, but this was the plan."

Youcantcallherthat inflicted a surprise defeat on the Elliott-trained Dinaria Des Obeaux in the Charleville Cheese EBF Mares Novice Chase.

Trained and ridden by Denis Hogan, Youcantcallherthat was a 5-1 shot to claim her fourth win from nine starts over fences, with Dinaria Des Obeaux the 4-7 favourite to clinch a second victory at Grade Two level.

With Kate Appleby Shoes pulling up a long way from home, it turned into a straight match between the Hogan and Elliott runners and while Dinaria Des Obeaux was closing the gap on the run to the line, Youcantcallherthat held on gamely to prevail by half a length.

Hogan said: "She is a class mare and is improving all the time. She showed a change of gear today that I didn't think she'd have.

"It's great because this mare couldn't win a hurdle last year having won a point-to-point and we nearly sold her for small money and now she's repaying the boys.

"That's my first Graded win as both a trainer and jockey. It's my biggest win and I'm 30 now, so it only took me 15 years - I'm only now learning the ropes!"

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