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Thurles four-timer for Gordon Elliott

A Toi Phil Leopardstown

Dinaria Des Obeaux completed a Thurles four-timer for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud in the Coolmore National Hunt Sires Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase.

The five-year-old had come up short in a couple of Grade Ones but was much more suited to this Grade Two test back against her own sex, and travelled in second behind pacesetter Magic Of Light.

Youcantcallherthat was hot on their heels when getting the second-last all wrong, effectively ending her challenge, and while 11-10 favourite Dinaria Des Obeaux could herself have been better when jumping the final obstacle in a slight lead, she was kept up to her work by Jack Kennedy - who was completing a treble - and passed the post eight lengths to the good over Magic Of Light.

Elliott said: "She was entitled to do that on her Drinmore run and forget about her last run, as she made a few mistakes and was nearly brought down.

"She won't be going to Cheltenham and I don't think we have to keep her in her own sex - never say never, but we'll see as we have a couple of nice mares at the moment. She is a nice mare and has her job done now."

Elliott also struck on the card with the Kennedy-ridden A Toi Phil and Pete So High, as well as Dortmund Park, who impressed under Davy Russell, all in the maroon and white of Gigginstown.

Earlier, A Toi Phil stamped his class on the Horse & Jockey Hotel Kinloch Brae Chase.

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American Tom took the field along, with the remaining trio racing together for the first circuit, and Arctic Skipper was the first to crack.

American Tom made a mistake five out, allowing A Toi Phil and Woodland Opera to close the gap, and the leader was not fluent at the third-last either.

Woodland Opera began to toil but A Toi Phil was still travelling strongly and hit the front between the final two obstacles before coming nine and a half lengths clear of American Tom.

The 6-4 shot's victory was completing a treble on the card at the time for Elliott and owners Gigginstown House Stud.

Elliott said: "In his own grade, he is brilliant and won't let you down and Jack gave him a great ride again today.

"It's been a good day."

Dortmund makes a splash

Dortmund Park splashed his way through the saturated ground to run out a comfortable winner of the W.T. O'Grady Memorial Irish EBF Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

Davy Russell brought the Elliott-trained five-year-old to jump into the lead at the second-last flight, after Beyond The Law had made the running.

The 12-1 shot went on to score by 16 lengths from Burrows Saint, with Discorama two lengths further away in third.

Elliott said: "I said before the race, I couldn't believe what price he was and he's a nice horse."

Regarding being a contender for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, he added: "There are plenty races to be won in Ireland and we can't send them all to Cheltenham, but we'll see.

"He could be as he is a smart horse and wouldn't be out of place in a graded race. I think a bit of him and coming here today the ground was actually a worry for him."

Elliott and owners Gigginstown House Stud were completing a quick double after Pete So High (7-1) landed the www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle.

The four-year-old could be Cheltenham-bound after he strode away from two out under Jack Kennedy to score by five lengths from Last Man Standing.

"It wasn't the strongest race in the world and he just about handled the conditions. Jack said he wasn't in love with it, but whatever handles it best wins today," said Elliott.

"He has got his head in front now and we'll see, but he could be a Fred Winter-type horse."

Pylon does it again

Adrian Maguire enjoyed a welcome winner as Knockraha Pylon galloped to her third course and distance success in the Matty Ryan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

Bouncing back from being pulled up on her previous start, the eight-year-old mare asserted from two out to strike under the trainer's son, amateur rider Finny.

Shower Cross plugged on for second spot, two and three-quarter lengths away from the 12-1 winner.

Maguire, who spoke openly last year about considering his future as a trainer, said: "One (winner) is like 10 and it's a great day. I'm delighted for the O'Donoghue brothers, Joker and Benji, as they are great supporters of mine and it's great to repay them with a winner.

"It's even more special when Finny rides them and it's fantastic."

He went on: "She had a wind operation before Christmas, but for whatever reason, she has taken a couple of runs confidence-wise. We'll look for something again in three or four weeks."

On his son, Maguire added: "He has one year left in college and he seems to be getting more and more keen about turning professional.

"It's not something I'd push him into, but we'll leave it up to him. If he wanted to, I'd have to support him 100 per cent.

"To be fair, he keeps a handle on his weight and eats healthily. He is a big lad, but does well with his weight and is studying food science in college."

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