Lazare provides Elliott & Kennedy with further festive joy Lazare De Star provided Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy with further festive joy as he claimed the opener at Leopardstown, the Savills Maiden Hurdle. Bought by current connections for E190,000 after finishing second in a point-to-point for Rob James, the Masked Marvel bay again filled the runner-up spot on his racecourse debut at Navan earlier this month. Expected to make the breakthrough this afternoon, the Robcour-owned French-bred was returned the 6/4 favourite, having gone as short as 4/6 in early shows. Settled in second by Jack Kennedy, the market leader improved to the front after two out and kicked clear before the last, ultimately coming home four-and-a-quarter lengths to the good. The Paul Nolan-trained Le Moulin Rouge (16/1) finished second under Sean Flanagan, while Cluain Chormaic (40/1 from 100s) was another two-and-three-quarters of a length back in third. "We knew he had improved a lot from Navan. He's a nice horse and has a nice way of going," commented Elliott, who was registering his 12th winner since St Stephen's Day. "I think he's smart enough. I like the way he quickened off the home turn and put it to sleep fairly quick." When asked if stepping up in trip had helped he added:- "Definitely, 100 percent. He's going to be a big three-mile chaser down the line. "You'd love the way he hit the line. "We've no plan made with him, we'll have a look and see." STEWARDS REPORT * Mr O. McGill, rider of Ocean Of Dreams, trained by Gary McGill, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped very novicey. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
