Wodhooh obliges for Elliott in Ascot Hurdle

Danny Gilligan delivered Wodhooh to perfection, as Gordon Elliott’s Irish raider claimed the Ladbrokes Ascot Hurdle.

Winner of the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival last season before chasing home Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle, the five-year-old was the 6-5 favourite for Ascot’s Grade Two event which was last won by an Irish runner when Faugheen hit the target 11 years ago.

It was the second-favourite, Sam Thomas’ Welsh Champion Hurdle hero Celtic Dino, who made a bold bid on the front-end and was still in there fighting at the final flight.

However, Wodhooh had worked her way into contention and having jumped the last in unison with Celtic Dino, ate up the ground in the closing stages to pull two and a half lengths clear.

Elliott said: “She’s a good mare and where she’ll end up I’m not quite sure, but she keeps winning, so I’m delighted.

“We knew they were going to go quick up front on that ground so we said we would take our time, but I just liked the attitude she showed to quicken going down over the last, it was great.

“She’s good and we’re lucky to have her. We’ll get her home now and have a chat about what we do next, I’m not too sure yet.

“Today was the plan and she’s done great, so I’m delighted.”