Gordon Elliott a man on a mission

It might be an exaggeration to say it represented a changing of the guard, but that unprecedented six-timer by Gordon Elliott at Navan last Sunday was some statement of intent.

In Monday’s Racing Post, Elliott was quoted as saying: “I haven’t a hope in hell of winning the (trainers’) title,’’ but if that’s what he truly believes then, you suspect, is on his own.

Irish National Hunt racing, for a long time, has been crying out for a credible challenger to Willie Mullins and there is no doubt one has finally arrived.