Orchard Road and Ruby Walsh clear the last© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott brought his tally this National Hunt season to 100 winners in Britain and Ireland when Orchard Road completed a double for the Longwood trainer this afternoon in the Clonmel Handicap Hurdle.
This two-mile event looked a wide open affair beforehand and a bunch of horses were still in contention as they approached the straight.
However Orchard Road struck the front just before the penultimate flight, and soon asserted under Ruby Walsh.
The 7/1 chance was ridden out on the run-in to beat Omega Springs by a length and three quarters, with All About Alfie unfortunate not to finish closer than another four lengths back in third.
Pat Foley did very well to stay aboard All About Alfie after the eight-year-old gelding made a bad blunder at the second last. Mick Jazz (9/10fav) was also on the mark half an hour earlier for Elliott, who said "He's grand and only cost GBP2,000 (last May). He has been placed every run now and has his job done now so everyone's happy.
"He jumps a fence and might win off his own mark again but he is what he is."
Elliott later tweeted, "Orchard Road makes it 100 NH winners between Ireland and the U.K. for the season! Well done to all our staff and owners."
(TW & AM)
