'He found plenty' - The Goffer digs deep in attritional Michael Purcell Memorial

Thursday: Thurles

It may not have been the highest quality running of the Grade 3 Markaye Contracts Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle, but it was certainly competitive as the unheralded The Goffer ground out victory for trainer Gordon Elliott.

The previous claim to fame for this son of Yeats was that he had been the first leg of Elliott's record-breaking seven-timer at Navan in early December, and this was his first victory since.

He hit the front before the second-last under Jordan Gainford, and while other horses travelled better than him down to the final flight, none got home as effectively as he stayed on strongly to beat the long-absent Berkshire Royal by a length and a quarter with 11-8 favourite Captain Conby flattering to deceive, a similar distance away in third.

The five-year-old winner holds an entry in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, and Gainford said: "He found plenty, and if something was besides it might have brought him forward a little bit more. He did it well today off a nice gallop."

"He's a big horse and he's going to improve, and hopefully in time he'll make a chaser."

Connell's renaissance continues

Few trainers are in better form at the moment than Barry Connell, and the Nurney-based handler saddled his third winner in three days when the unheralded Balkito ran out a convincing winner of the amateur riders' handicap chase.

In the hands of Jack Hendrick, the son of Balko got the better of a good scrap with 3-1 favourite Johngus before pulling clear from the last to score by seven lengths.

Balkito continues Barry Connell's rich vein of form with victory in the 3m1f handicap chaseCredit: Patrick McCann

Connell said: "That's the first day we have been able to run him in his grade. Jack gave him a great ride and got him into a lovely rhythm. He only made one mistake, but it woke him up, he came back on the bridle and started to travel."

Reflecting on the form of the stable, he added: "We were waiting for soft ground. I ran horses before Christmas that got jarred up and I wasn't able to run much.

"It's just the way it has fallen for us this week with the change in the ground, but while they are running well let's hope it keeps going."

Doyle's hopes for 'smart' Mitiva

Having had the likes of subsequent Cheltenham Festival winners Al Ferof and Cheltenian through her hands, Wexford trainer Liz Doyle hopes she has unearthed another gem in Motivator filly Mitiva.

The four-year-old impressed on debut under Jody Townend in the concluding mares' bumper, taking command inside the final furlong and readily holding off the experienced favourite Brookline by two and a half lengths.

Doyle said: "We came here for some reasonable ground. She's a bit hot, being by Motivator, so we haven't done a whole lot with her and Jody said she was plenty green when she got to the front. But she is really nice and could be smart. She jumps like a cat and is really one to look forward to."

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