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Diamond Cauchois sparkles for four-star Elliott at Navan

Diamond Cauchois led home a one-two for Gordon Elliott in the Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle as the trainer enjoyed a four-timer at Navan.

Rank outsider Maggio took them along in the Grade Two contest but was tackled on either side by Diamond Cauchois and Bapaume as they turned for home.

Elliott's 4-6 favourite mastered Bapaume after jumping two out, with Willie Mullins' runner stopping quite quickly, and Diamond Cauchois stormed home to score by nine lengths, with his stable companion Lieutenant Colonel catching Bapaume for second.

Elliott said: "He's a grand horse and loves that soft ground. The ground will probably decide where we go with him but he's won two good pots for us this year so we are very happy."

Elliott also saddled Monbeg Notorious and Mossback to be first and second in the Ten Up Novice Chase, with Jack Kennedy partnering the winner, while Diamond Cauchois' jockey Davy Russell was aboard Lackaneen Leader (5-4 favourite) for her triumph in the P.S. Supplies Doors & Floors Mares Handicap Hurdle.

"She is a nice, honest mare who just keeps galloping. She will jump a fence in time, too," said Elliott. "She has got a nice pedigree so it's job done. Davy said she was keen enough early, but the further she went the better she was."

The Lisa O'Neill-ridden Master Of Tara (5-2) rounded off another fine afternoon for Elliott with victory in the bumper.

Elliott said: "He's a big baby and a horse for next year. I wouldn't imagine that he will do much more this year. He's a nice horse.

"It's been a brilliant day, it's testament to the horses I have, the owners and the staff."

Elsewhere on the card, Drumconnor Lad (4-6 favourite) broke his duck over fences with a hard-fought triumph from Elliott's Robin Des Mana in the Race Displays Event Signage Rated Novice Chase.

Trainer Adrian Keatley said of his eight-year-old: "I'm happy with that. The trip was a little bit short for him but when we saw the race, we couldn't turn away the opportunity. The conditions suited him as he hadn't got a rating yet.

"We'll be looking forward to him when the ground gets a bit nicer. It was slow-motion stuff out there today and when they crossed the line, they nearly stopped to a standstill.

"I'm delighted to get him to win and hopefully there is a good pot in him in the spring."

Noel Meade's Dis Donc (4-1) registered a deserved victory in the Get Your 2018 Navan Membership Maiden Hurdle, keeping going well to repel the late rally of Antey by a neck.

Meade said: "He looked like he was going to win a minute and then he was lucky to win in the end.

"He might not like to be in front too long, but I think he might like better ground as well. When he won in France, it was on fast ground."


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