Elliott sorts out French import

Gordon Elliott was on the mark at Punchestown agains today when he added another winner to his tally when taking the first race on the card with 16/1 chance Labaik. The trainer had received a warning about the horse after it practically refused to race at Laytown four weeks ago.

That was Elliott's first attempt to get a run from the French-bred Labaik which arrived in Elliott's yard with a bit of reputation a couple of months ago.

Labaik had only seen the track twice prior to that Laytown experience, once at Deuville in a 2014 debut where, as a three-year-old, the grey was unplaced on the all-weather for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Two years elapsed before another trip to the track, this time for Lambourn trainer Owen Burrows, but with jockey Dane O'Neill on board and sent to the start as 5/4 favourite, the now five-year-old refused to race at Lingfield.

A trip to the sales was next and for £25,000 a new owner was on board. The trip to Laytown brought the following warning for the trainer

The Stewards informed Gordon Elliott, trainer of Labaik (FR), concerning the conduct of his charge which remained in the stalls for a long period after the race had started, that a repeat performance such as this in the future, may liable his charge for suspension.

The remedy was provided by some hunting ahead of the trip to Punchestown today for a debut over hurdles.

TWITTER
The owner tweeted
Big thanks @gelliott_racing & @donoghue_keith first winner in my colours with LABAIK at punchestown purchased @GoffsUK from @ShadwellStud

NOEL MEADE
Noel Meade was also on the mark at Punchestown when he saw his own colours carried to victory in the concluding race, an amateur handicap chase, with Tiger Sam.