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Bayan lands Ladbroke for Condon/Elliott

The Gordon Elliott-trained Bayan (left)The Gordon Elliott-trained Bayan (left)
© Photo Healy Racing

Davy Condon and Gordon Elliott, successful with Cause Of Causes in 2012, again teamed up to land The Ladbroke at Ascot as Bayan recorded a 14/1 triumph.

The dual-purpose gelding, already placed twice in valuable handicap hurdles this year when third in the Coral Cup and runner-up to Thomas Edison in the Galway Hurdle, struck the front approaching the last for a deserved win.

Condon, who only returned to action last weekend following a serious back injury, needed all his strength on the run-in to deny Pine Creek by a neck with Activial a length and three quarters back in third.

The five-year-old Bayan is owned by the Core Syndicate which includes Attheraces presenter Gary O'Brien.

Elliott was at Fairyhouse, where he said "This has been the plan and he had not run over hurdles since Galway. It was great, I'm delighted - he was very tough."

It was an emotional success for Condon, who has been plagued by injuries and was having just his third ride back since a heavy fall at Cork in August.

The jockey suffered three fractured vertebrae in the spill and initially feared he may never ride again after suffering a rare condition called spinal concussion, which briefly left him unable to move from the neck down.

"I'm a bit emotional at the moment, it's great to be back - I didn't think I'd make it back. It was my toughest injury so far and I was in a lot of pain," said Condon.

He added, "I was lucky I had a good group of people around me. Gordon Elliott has been so loyal to me leaving me on the horse. Even though I'm not 100 per cent fit I rushed to get back and I'm delighted he won.

"He was just idling in front and was there a bit soon, but he stays well and I knew I had to press on early because he has real stamina. He was tough and responded to every call."