Gordon Elliott lords it over Willie Mullins in Glaway Plate thriller

After Water Sprite ended his five-year drought at the Galway Festival by taking the final race on Tuesday night, trainer Gordon Elliott found the perfect way to follow up: by saddling the well-backed Lord Scoundrel to land a thrilling thetote.com Galway Plate.

One of five representatives from the Co Meath stable, the Gigginstown House Stud gelding’s early progress over fences appeared to have plateaued. But Elliott knew better, and so did some shrewd punters, who forced a contraction of his price from 20-1 to half those odds.

The Presenting gelding, who had winning form at the track, had, his trainer would reveal post-race, this race in his sight since he was left off last year. And the plan worked to perfection. Never far off the pace, he was one of six still in with a chance after jumping the last and, despite having to come widest of all, he ran on powerfully to beat Alelchi Inois by a length and a quarter, with long-time leader Ballycasey in third.