Unhappy Elliott salvages a Down Royal double Gordon Elliott was not a happy camper at all as ground conditions dried out on day one of Down Royal’s marquee fixture, but Premier Division’s victory in the concluding WTW Willis Flat Race would have given him a reason to be cheerful. In a steadily-run contest, the 4/9 favourite was always travelling nicely behind the leaders and Edelle Logan’s five-year-old, placed in good company last season, eased to the front just inside the furlong marker before being pushed out by Harry Swan to beat Ifuknowuknow by two lengths. It was Swan's 100th career winner. Elliott, completing a double after With Nolimit’s win in the first, withdrew six horses throughout the afternoon due to the change in going, including high-profile inmates Mange Tout and Ballyfad. He had earlier told Racing TV that he felt the track should have been watered more in the run-up to the meeting. "We think he is a good horse," said Elliott. "It actually turned into a bit of a sprint, which might not have suited him. "He always works very well at home, and I imagine he will probably go jumping hurdles now." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
