Elliott takes little time to get off mark as new battle begins

Gordon Elliott: struck in third race of the new jumps season in Ireland with Ballela Boy

Gordon Elliott: expects a bold showing from the in-form Presenting JulioCredit: Patrick McCann

It has started already! Gordon Elliott leads Willie Mullins by one in the trainers' title race. Unfortunately for last season's runner-up, we're only one day into the campaign.

Elliott lost out narrowly in an epic battle with Mullins on Saturday but he wasted little time in getting ahead of the defending champion as Ballela Boy landed the third jumps race of the season – the 2m6f hurdle.

The late withdrawal of morning favourite Monbeg Notorious on veterinary advice looked to have spoiled Elliott's chance of winning the race but Ballela Boy proved an able deputy under Davy Russell, fending off favourite Bel Ami De Sivola by two lengths.

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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 1 May 2017inReports

Last updated 18:41, 1 May 2017

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