Gordon needs a good Friday

Gordon Elliott needs a good Friday after the race for the NH Trainers' title took a major step in favour of defending champion Willie Mullins at Punchestown today.

Gordon lost more ground despite winning the first race and at the end of the action was trailing Mullins by approx €165,000 

Mullins enjoyed a number of winners with one of jump racing's biggest stars, Faugheen, earning a hero's reception when returning to form in brilliant style in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers' Hurdle with David Mullins on board the 10-year-old which put in a bold front-running performance to come home 13 lengths clear of stablemate Penhill. He was returned at 11/2.

Also for Mullins Footpad (2/5 fav) put in his best-ever performance when winning the Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase. 
Today's attendance was 20,204, compared to 19,072 on the same day in 2017.