Gordon Elliott Shines at Perth: Irish Raiders Weekend Recap Gordon Elliott landed a double at Perth on Sunday afternoon on a jumps card dominated by Irish raiders but the travelling party was out of luck at Newmarket's July Cup Day on Saturday as Aidan O'Brien came up dry. Here's our look back on the Irish raiders that ran in Britain across the weekend. Novibet Betting Offer If you already have a Novibet account, check out more of the best betting sites and online casinos Italy Aidan O'Brien's Italy was a warm order for the bet365 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket after impressing in his debut win at Leopardstown but the 4/6 favourite was only good enough for a battling second as Godolphin's Saba Desert instead remained unbeaten. O'Brien's Wootton Bassett colt still has Group 1 ambitions in the National Stakes and he looked as though a step up in trip might suit. Ides Of March & Whistlejacket The Ballydoyle supremo's hopes of a first July Cup win since 2019 and a record sixth overall were undone as 66/1 chance No Half Measures landed a major shock for Richard Hughes. Whistlejacket and Ryan Moore never got into the race from the rear of the field, while Ides Of March and Wayne Lordan were up on the early speed but folded inside the final furlong to finish 10th. Samui Gordon Elliott's Samui gave Hollie Doyle a terrific spin in the John Smith's Silver Cup at York. Second in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot over 2m5&1/2f, the Siyouni gelding was dropped back in trip and travelled well before emerging as the main threat to odds-on favourite Al Qareem. The winner was game in front and won decisively as Doyle finished second at 16/1. Catherine Chroi Trainer Claire O'Connell sent a couple of runners to Hamilton on Saturday evening, with Catherine Chroi tackling the 6f Rocca Restaurant & ORA Bar Hamilton Handicap. The mare had been well held in her three most recent Irish starts and it was a similar tale for her at Scottish venue, as she beat just one home. Roman Harry More was expected of Roman Harry given he was the 10/3 favourite at the off in the Get Your Tickets For Cube Glass Ladies Night Handicap later on the Hamilton card. He had shown promise at Limerick and Bellewstown recently with placed efforts but he remains a turf maiden after 21 starts, Joe Fanning's partner having raced too keenly in rear and found little for pressure as he finished last of nine. Cinammon Roll & Aughafatten There were six Irish runners at Perth on Sunday afternoon and, between them, they didn't finish outside of the front two. Cinammon Roll justified cramped odds in the Book Your Christmas Party Novices' Hurdle for Elliott under champion jockey Sean Bowen, taking his record to 3-4 under Rules, with Gerald Quinn's Aughafatten taking second spot on hurdles bow following a 673-day layoff after his win in a Stratford bumper in September 2023. Invictus World Quinn hadn't long to wait to get in on the act as Invictus World bagged the Saints In The Community Handicap Hurdle over 2m4f at Perth. His form coming into the race was poor, but that didn't prevent a second hurdles win of his career. Sea Aster Elliott's tally in Scotland was doubled as Sea Aster obliged under Bowen in the 3m handicap chase, ensuring the Cullentra handler was a perfect 2-2 on the afternoon at the Ayrshire venue. A winner at Down Royal in April, Sea Aster had been poor in three runs afterwards but returned to winning ways in decisive fashion. Takt De Touques & Rebellious Gale Completing the Irish interest was another one-two, the Quinn-trained Takt De Touques justifying favouritism in the Saints Kidz Community Football Handicap Hurdle to complete a fine afternoon for the handler as Tony Martin's Rebellious Gale chased him home in market order. Quinn has a trio of horses running at Downpatrick on Tuesday afternoon as he looks to continue his fine form.
