Pied Piper gets chasing career off to winning start 

Down Royal 13-4-25

A 150-rated hurdler, Pied Piper made a successful start to his chasing career when outclassing his rivals in the Fibrus Gallop At Gigabit Speeds Beginners Chase in Down Royal, providing the middle leg of a tremendous 60/1 treble for Gordon Elliott and in-form Danny Gilligan.

Placed in two County Hurdles at Cheltenham but without a win since November 2022, Pied Piper survived a couple of mistakes on his way to a smooth, 20 lengths defeat of Encanto Bruno.

Elliott’s assistant Lisa O’Neill said, “At his best, he was entitled to win. He made a couple of novicey mistakes but will learn from the experience.” 

“His last few runs were disappointing, but he has schooled well over fences and it’s great to get his head in front again. I’m sure he’ll build on this.” 

Gilligan, who rode a total of six winners over the weekend, had earlier sparked the Cullentra treble when Howdoyalikeherhome, making a quick reappearance after a fourth at Bellewstown on Saturday, defied top-weight in the Fast As Fibrus Broadband Novice Handicap Hurdle, getting the better of Tell Nobody Nothin.

And the Elliott / Gilligan combination rounded off a memorable weekend When Sea Aster dud deep to hold off stable-companion Wine An Dine and Meyo in the Fibrus Super Simple To Switch Handicap Chase.

Boasting course form with stable-companion and subsequent Cheltenham festival scorer Air Of Entitlement, Nastya justified 8/13 favouritism for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore in the opening Giddyup And Switch To Fibrus Mares Maiden Hurdle, the six-year-old bolting-up by no less than 25 lengths.

“She had lovely form coming into the race and it was very straightforward out there,” said Blackmore, “She made a bit of a mistake at the last but was good otherwise. Hopefully. She can build on this.” 

Six-year-old mare Circus Act, in the colours of her trainer James Nash, registered her second career success when landing the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, foiling the Bayou Belle.

“That nice ground is a big help to her and Ben (Kennedy) gave her a lovely ride,” said Nash, “She’s qualified for the (Adara Manor) final at Punchestown now and she might go there, or to Killarney, for the final of the 0-110 series.” 

And John Flavin, successful earlier with Clarens at his local track (Tramore) completed an across-the-card double with veteran Smitty Bacall (Darragh O’Keeffe) in the finale.