Ginto and Jamie Codd© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott completed a four-timer at Navan today as his well-touted and expensive Ginto won the concluding Flower Hill (Pro/Am) INH Bumper for owners Noel and Valerie Moran and jockey Jamie Codd.
The son of Walk In The Park, was a €60,000 three year old purchase and having won his point-to-point on debut for Elliott and the Crocodile Pockets Syndicate last October, was sold to his new owners for €470,000 a week later at Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale.
Despite failing to justify strong 4/9 favouritism on bumper debut at Fairyhouse last month, the five year old today quickened clear of nine rivals when comfortably beating Shantreusse by eight lengths.
Elliott, who trails Willie Mullins by €640,000 in the Trainers' Championship, had previously recorded a six-timer at the Co Meath venue on Troytown Day in November 2016 and, earlier today, notched winners with Coko Beach Frontal Assault and Fierami
Following his latest four-timer, the Gold Cup and Grand National winning trainer reported “he's a big chaser and that's what he was bought to be; he's a horse for the future.
“The problem is when they come with a big price tag there is always plenty of hype with them. He is a nice horse and we really like him.
“He really wants a jump, he's not really a bumper horse. Jamie said he was actually doing his best work at the line and said he doesn't need to do a lot more this year; he has done all the schooling with him and says he'll be a different horse when he gets a jump.
“We've had four winners and two seconds today so we can't complain.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
