Floueur highlights Elliott’s Clonmel hat-trick

Trainer sent out four winners in total on Thursday.

Gordon Elliott celebrated a treble at Clonmel – and four winners overall – on yet another profitable afternoon on Thursday.

Elliott has been in flying form of late and after an earlier success with Poseidon in the selling hurdle at Taunton, he was on the mark closer to home.

The highlight was undoubtedly Floueur (5-1) in the Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan (Peugeot) Hurdle who landed some hefty bets having halved in price overnight.

Having seemingly lost his way at the end of last season and the beginning of this, the application of a first-time visor certainly had the desired effect and Davy Russell’s mount never came off in the bridle in winning by 14 lengths.

“He went well, jumped great, loved the ground, obviously, and the distance,” said Russell.

“He ran in the Munster National the last day and made a mistake up the back and in handicap chases, you can’t do that. Gordon, wisely, brought him back over hurdles and he seemed to enjoy it here today.

“It could have been a combination of things (that sparked him back to life) – blinkers, heavy, testing conditions and three miles. The race and the conditions suited. We didn’t have that much opposition, and he was able to hold his place quite easily through the race.

“All those things combined helped him, but I think all the credit should go to the trainer – that would be the common denominator.”

Elliott had already won the ClonmelRaces.ie (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle with the Jamie Codd-ridden Santonito (6-5 favourite) and went on to claim the Next Meeting Thursday January 12th Novice Handicap Chase with 5-6 favourite Womalko, ridden by Sam Ewing.

Bluebell Diva justified 7-2 favouritism in the Happy Christmas To All Our Patrons Handicap Hurdle for Mouse Morris and Ricky Doyle.

Morris said: “She ran well the last day, has improved a bit with every run and is a fine mare. She will probably run again at Limerick over Christmas.”

“The owners Margaret and Sean Casey, from Cahir, bred her and she is by the right stallion (Walk In The Park).”

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