What’s Up Darling edged out his Gordon Elliott-trained stablemate Dee Capo in a stirring finish to the Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle at Navan on Saturday.
On another winner-laden day for the stable, it was the Sam Ewing-ridden six-year-old, who took a big step forward from his hurdling debut at Limerick, who came out on top.
Jack Kennedy was on the hat-trick-seeking Dee Capo, but went down by a neck having shown the odd wayward tendency.
Elliott said of the 15-8 winner: “He’s a quick horse. He probably got racing a bit early but he won, so it’s great.
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“The other horse [Dee Capo] ran a serious race, Jack said he tried to hang off the track on the far side. He probably gave away a lot of lengths.
“Jack said he thought he was going to pull him up but when he straightened out, he sprinted again. I had the one-two, so I won’t complain.”
When asked if the winner could go for the Royal Bond, the trainer added: “To be honest, it might come a bit quick.”
Kennedy was on Elliott’s Stellar Story (4-7 favourite) in the Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle, who added to his two bumper wins.
“He’s a nice horse. Jack said he’d come on from it too, as he had a bit of a blow,” said Elliott.
“I was a bit worried in the back straight when the other horse was going with us but he said he’d come on plenty from it and we’re delighted. He was bought to be a big staying chaser.”
Fortunedefortunata (100-30 favourite) was another for Elliott and Kennedy in the Hotel Park St Johann In Tirol Austria Handicap Hurdle.
“They [owners, Breakaway’s Syndicate] are all lads that I went to school with, so it’s great,” said Elliott.
“We didn’t give a fortune for him and today was the plan, thankfully it worked out for him. He loves really heavy ground. He probably wouldn’t take a lot of running quickly.”
Eddie and Patrick Harty’s Harvard Guy (7-1) won the Lisadell Equine Hospital Handicap Hurdle in the JP McManus colours.
“It was nice. I thought he might have a squeak based on his run at Fairyhouse,” said Eddie Harty.
“He was all out to do it and we’ll have to look for something similar. I’m delighted to be back on the scoresheet for JP.
“I think it’s Patrick’s first time on the board for JP since being on the licence, so it’s important for him as well.”
Elliott was narrowly denied a four-timer when My Trump Card got going too late in the concluding bumper and narrowly failed to reel in Gavin Cromwell’s Springt De La Mare (5-2), with Apple’s Of Bresil not far away in third.
The first three all look to have big futures.
