Another winner on the cards for Gordon

Meath trainer Gordon Elliott enjoyed a good week on the track over the last seven days with winners in Ireland and England. Despite the hectic schedule, the popular trainer still found time to 'pop the question' to long-time girlfriend Annie Bowles at a party on Sunday night. Apparently, he received the right answer at the party, which was organised by owner John Earls who was in the winners' enclosure at Ballybrit with Hoopy and Chicago Grey, both trained near Trim by Elliott. Last week was particularly hectic for Elliott and his team at Capranny Stables as they sent out winners at Perth in Scotland and at the Galway Festival which ended on Sunday. Elliott is currently leading the race for the Irish National Hunt trainers' title for the first time in his career. One of his winners last week, Right Or Wrong, is owned by his soon-to-be wife and was enjoying a second victory at the Scottish track. Elliott and young Dunshaughlin jockey Keith Donoghue enjoyed a double at Perth last Tuesday night when Shopfrontspecialist won a two-mile handicap hurdle and Supercede won a three-mile hurdle. The duo took the runner-up position in the opening race with Symphonica. The following day, Right Or Wrong obliged with Supercede beaten by a short-head in the final race on the card. Elliott also had two winners at Galway, both ridden by Paul Carberry. Hoopy survived a stewards' enquiry to hold on to a handicap hurdle on Wednesday and Chicago Grey won on Thursday. Perched at the top of the table on 21 Irish-trained winners, Elliott currently has such notables as Edward O'Grady, Noel Meade and Willie Mullins playing catch-up.