Gun Digger and Lisa O'Neill (right) challenging All For Joy© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott continued his superb recent run of success with a double at Thurles as Gun Digger landed the Holycross INH Flat Race to add to the earlier victory of Burren Life All For Joy backed near the off from 12/1 into 8/1, looked set to score for Katie Walsh when leading over a furlong out.
However Gun Digger (11/2), like Burren Life sporting the colours of Gigginstown, stayed on gamely under pressure for Lisa O’Neill and got on top inside the final 100 yards to score by a length and a half.
The 1/2 favourite Rio Vivas was bidding to provide Willie Mullins with a treble on the day but couldn’t find any extra from over a furlong out and finished another five and a half lengths back in third.
O'Neill said, "He was good in the end and galloped them into the ground. He's a fine big horse and galloped all the way to the line with me and I'm delighted with him. He's a lovely horse and will come on as well."
(TW & AM)
