Fury Road defies big weight as Elliott ends frustrating afternoon with double

Saturday: Down Royal

Gordon Elliott had not suffered many reverses at this meeting in the last couple of years, but he had been enduring a frustrating afternoon until the Gigginstown-owned Fury Road earned a battling victory in the Grade 2 Eventsec Chase.

He had only three rivals to worry about, but over a trip short of his best he stayed on strongly under Jack Kennedy to give Delvino 18lb and a short-head beating.

Elliott said: "We gave the mare plenty of weight and Jack gave him a great ride. He said he wasn't in love with that ground in the back straight, but he got his head in front and he should improve for that. He just galloped the whole way and he will probably step up in trip now."

Elliott and Gigginstown ended the day with a double when the highly rated point-to-point winner King Of Kingsfield was a workmanlike winner of the bumper under Jamie Codd.

Martin and Breslin come up trumps again

New York-based owner John Breslin and Tony Martin love to win big handicap hurdles, (Tudor City won this year's Galway Hurdle for the second time), and they were at it again when Nibiru got up in the last stride to land the Grade B handicap hurdle.

For a horse who seems to need to arrive late, his effort was timed to perfection by Philip Enright. They got the better of the nod with the Rachael Blackmore-ridden Watch The Weather to win by a short head.

Martin said: "He has plenty of ability. He's a horse that people get fed up with, but on his day he is very good and Philip was very good on him.

"He has a bit of a mind of his own and just needs a lead as long as he can. He doesn't like being crowded. He wouldn't be much good at Croke Park or Lansdowne Road unless he was playing on the wing!"

Cromwell double

Gavin Cromwell continues to have his string in excellent form and, after hitting the crossbar on Friday, combined with Keith Donoghue for a double.

With the JP McManus-owned 4-9 favourite Foxfire Glow running well below par, the Cromwell-trained Invictus Machin took advantage for the same owner, staying on from off the pace.

"I would have been very disappointed if he didn't run a good solid race," said Cromwell. "When he got the hang of things in the second half of the race he showed his ability. He's a fine stamp of a horse and a lovely one for next year."

The double was completed by Final Orders, who completed a hat-trick in the 3m handicap chase.

Results, replays and analysis

Download the new Racing Post app here to read exclusive content from the biggest names. There are brilliant betting masterclasses from Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and David Jennings, Q&As with pro punters, trainers and jockeys, plus much more. Download the new app now to access all of this unrivalled content.