More joy for Gigginstown and Elliott as Battleoverdoyen delivers Grade 1 win

A phenomenal festive period for Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott got even better on Sunday when Battleoverdoyen maintained his unbeaten record in landing a depleted Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown under Davy Russell.

The imposing six-year-old, who was left unchanged for the RSA Chase at 8-1 and 10-1 with Paddy Power and BoyleSports, produced a fine round of jumping before doing enough to hold off stablemate Champagne Classic close home.

An original field of seven was reduced to just three as drying ground saw Minella Indo, Carefully Selected and Speak Easy withdrawn, while Minella Fair was ruled out having reported to be sore after his run in the Paddy Power Chase on Friday.

That left the door open for an Elliott-Gigginstown 1-2 as their Grade 1-winning hurdler became one of 19 winners in the maroon and white-starred silks this festive period, pulling 38 lengths clear of chase maiden Lord Schnitzel.

Battleoverdoyen jumped convincingly but gave a minor scare approaching the last as he began to edge left while Champagne Classic was improving.

Battleoverdoyen was left unchanged with some firms, priced at 8-1 and 10-1, for the RSA ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

However, the Florida Pearl Novice Chase winner found as much as necessary to repel the former Cheltenham Festival hero's challenge, keeping him at bay by a length.

Elliott, who saddled ten winners over the last four day, said: "Davy said the two of them only hacked around and it was like a nice school.

"It's not ideal for sponsors who put the prize-money up but there's nothing you can do with the ground.

"You'd have to like the way he jumps and travels; he's a really nice horse, a big chaser. He'll go on any ground and has now won three times on good ground.

"Davy said the horse was only doing what he had to do and was having a good blow after the race, so I'd say there's improvement in him too.

Davy Russell on Battleoverdoyen: 'He's a talented horse with loads of stamina and class'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I'd imagine something like the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase [Flogas Novice Chase] at the Dublin Racing Festival could be where he goes next. We'll be trying to split them all up."

Russell, who was landing his second Grade 1 win of the season, was effusive in his praise for the horse whose only defeat came when pulling up as 3-1 favourite in last season's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

"His jumping was excellent and it was a pleasure to ride him. I know he's massive but he's light on his feet," he said.

Watch Battleoverdoyen win the Neville Hotels Chase

"As you see with his jumping, he's very athletic and we didn't go that hard, so he handled the ground well enough.

"For some reason when he saw the last, he leaned to the inside. I was trying to keep him off that chopped up ground but he leaned in. Once he found the rail he was happy.

"He can go up and down in trip; he's a talented horse with loads of stamina and class."

Runner-up Champagne Classic enhanced his credentials for the National Hunt Chase with his staying-on second and was cut to 8-1 from 10-1 with BoyleSports for the now 3m6f event.

Battleoverdoyen was one of 19 Gigginstown-owned winners over the festive periodCredit: Patrick McCann

"Champagne Classic is a good horse," said Elliott. "I'll have to speak to Michael and Eddie [O'Leary], but if I had my way I'd be going to the National Hunt Chase with him."

"I got a grand spin off him," said jockey Mark Walsh, who replaced Robbie Power after the Grand National-winning rider missed his Sunday rides through soreness after a spill the previous afternoon.

"I thought I might get to Davy after the last but his horse pulled out more. My lad galloped all the way to the line – I'm delighted with him."

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