Dounikos appreciates step up in trip

Ahead of an important couple of days in Down Royal, when some of the stable’s leading lights will make their first starts of the season, trainer Gordon Elliott completed a near 6-1 double on a cold Thursday afternoon in Thurles.

The first leg came courtesy of the Ruby Walsh-ridden Dounikos, in the Thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle. Well backed overnight but a drifter in the morning, he attracted late support into 9-10 favourite.

The bumper winner looked likely to appreciate the step up to two miles and seven furlongs, and so it proved as he did more than enough to fend off a late rally from Robbina.