There was a poignant victory for Gordon Elliott at Fairyhouse on Saturday as he won a race named after his late uncle.
Doctor Bravo landed the Willie Elliott Memorial (Pro/Am) I.N.H. Flat race to complete a 203/1 treble on the card for the Meath trainer at one of his local tracks.
The 15/2 shot's victory under John Gleeson came after earlier wins for Minella Crooner (2/1) in a 2m 5f beginners chase and Landrake (7/1) in the 2m 4f novice hurdle.
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But Elliott admitted landing the race named after his uncle was something he had been aiming to do for a number of years.
He said: "We’ve been trying to win this race for a few years. A lot of family are here so it’s great."
Posting on Twitter after the victories, Elliott added: Delighted to have a treble at @Fairyhouse today with Minella Crooner for David Barnard @jackkennedy15 and Landrake and Doctor Bravo @andygemmabrown @JoeyE_Logan. Fantastic to bring home the Willie Elliott memorial bumper, well done team."
Meanwhile, the trainer believes Minella Crooner could be "an ideal horse" for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham next March.
The trainer said after Saturday's success: “He’s a grand horse. We’ll probably head for Leopardstown over three miles and I’d imagine the further he goes, the better he will be.
“He could be an ideal horse for a National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham because he doesn’t do a stroke.
“We were probably handed the race because the other horse jumped left, but Jack (Kennedy) said he has a great attitude and gallops the whole way.
“He’s very straightforward and was probably a bit fitter and sharper than the last day.”
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