Five-star Elliott enjoys another afternoon to savour at Navan

Gordon Elliott enjoyed a five-timer across the card at Navan as new stars emerged and older ones continued to shine.

Firstly it was Wingmen who got his hurdling career off to a pleasing start when taking the Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle.

The six-year-old is a point-to-point winner whose bumper spell resulted in two wins and a place from three attempts.

Under Jack Kennedy he was the 8-15 favourite to get off the mark on his first go over obstacles and duly did so, pulling clear from the field alongside Henry de Bromhead’s Forty Coats and prevailing by three lengths.

“It was a good performance, I thought, because he went a little bit right the whole way,” said Elliott.

“Jack said when he let him on a bit he was better, and he was half-idling in the home straight.

“He’s a smart horse, so we’ll see where we go. Maybe he will go the other way around.

“He’s a big chasing horse, he’s a horse for next year really.

“He has (a fair engine) and they pulled well clear of the third. He (Kennedy) said he won snug.”

Kennedy added: “First time over hurdles and I’d say there is improvement, maybe over a longer trip.”

Betfair left Wingmen unchanged at 33-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Turners Novices’ Hurdle in March.

Bleu De Vassy and Found A Fifty then both produced the goods when winning the Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle and the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase respectively, after which it was the turn of Down Memory Lane.

Making his debut over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, the JP McManus-owned gelding struck at 7-1 with a seven-length victory to see his price for the Arkle cut from 66-1 to 20-1 with Paddy Power.

Elliott said of his Mark Walsh-ridden winner: “He’s a good horse and had a few small little problems last year.

“I thought it was a very good performance there today, he jumped great and galloped the whole way to the line.

“It (Drinmore) might come a bit soon – obviously, I will have a chat with Frank (Berry, racing manager to McManus) and the whole team and see.”

It was Harry Swan who picked up the reins in the Bar One Racing ‘Guaranteed Overnight Prices’ (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

His mount was the 6-4 favourite Whinney Hill, who travelled well from the outset and prevailed by three and a half lengths.

“We knew he had improved plenty from his run (in Punchestown last time),” said Elliott.

“He’s a nice horse, still green, but he will probably go jumping now.”

On training five winners on day one of the meeting he added: “Great day – Navan is a lucky track for me and it’s local to me. It’s great to come out with five winners.”