Winning Smut scores on first start for Elliott Winning Smut (5/2 — 7/4f) made a winning debut for trainer Gordon Elliott at Ballinrobe today, landing the McHale Fusion 4 Range Maiden Hurdle for owner/breeder Denis Reddan and jockey Danny Gilligan. Previously trained by now-retired Michael Hourigan, Winning Smut today raced behind the leaders, was pushed along to lead at the last and quickened well to beat Annaghbeg by 4.75 lengths. Reddan’s colours had previously been carried to big-race success by prolific winner She’s Our Mare, winner of the 1999 English Cesarewitch, and today jockey Gilligan commented “the race went smoothly enough, Winning Smut is a nice horse and won well, so fingers crossed he can step up from that again. “It’s good ground. They were glad to see the rain coming as I’d say it needed every drop it got. It’s lovely safe, good ground.” Quotes from Gary Carson
