Game Portnablagh steers Elliott to magical double century

On an afternoon when Gordon Elliott saddled his first Irish Grand National winner, the red carpet for his 200th winner of the season might have been laid out at Fairyhouse, but the fates ensured that his sole fancied runner at Cork was the one to bring him to that magical and unprecedented figure – the first time an Irish jumps trainer has brought up the double hundred.

One of only two Elliott runners here, the Declan Lavery-ridden Portnablagh was sent off a shade of odds-on to win the concluding mares’ point-to-point bumper, and in its way this victory was just as dramatic as that of General Principle at Fairyhouse.

The Johnny King-ridden Miss Delighted appeared to have shaken off the challenge of Elliott’s mare a furlong out but, when switched to the outer, Portnablagh gradually wore down the small deficit and got up close home to win by half a length.