Jacob's Ladder lands Flyingbolt Chase Championship-chasing trainer Gordon Elliott kept the home fires burning today with Jacob’s Ladder (8/13f), who landed Navan’s Grade 3 Flyingbolt Novice Chase in preference to taking up any Cheltenham engagement. Previously successful in the €100,000 Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival, the 151-rated seven-year-old today led from the third-last fence under Jack Kennedy, and battled well on the run-in. The race’s 1.25-lengths runner-up Lovely Hurling (3/1) was an eye-catcher, as having been patiently ridden, was then asked for effort much too late on the run-in, before finishing strongly. Elliott, who leads challenging Willie Mullins by €400,000, has money on his mind these days and reported "Jacob’s Ladder was stepping into a graded race and he has now won a lot of prize money (adding today’s €21,000). He was very gutsy and is going the right way over fences. "He picked up and galloped, so we are very happy. He did get through the ground, although Jack said he struggled on it. "He won't go to Cheltenham, we might look at Fairyhouse or Aintree all being well." Quotes from Michael Graham
