Gordon Elliott records 2,000th Irish National Hunt winner

The Enabler resisted the late surge of I Am Lorenzo to provide Gordon Elliott with his 2,000th Irish National Hunt winner in the Grant Fit Out Maiden Hurdle at .

A field of 10 runners went to post for the opening contest on the fourth and final day of the Christmas Festival, with Argento Boy the 8-13 favourite for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend in the colours of Galopin Des Champs.

However, he was a spent force from the home turn, whereas The Enabler – second to Argento Boy’s Champion Bumper-winning stablemate Jasmin De Vaux at Navan three weeks ago – galloped on strongly up the straight in the hands of .

I Am Lorenzo was the one finishing best from the final flight and almost joined The Enabler on the line, but the judge confirmed the latter had held on by a short head.

“He was good and just got a bit close to the last. I’m not sure what his trip is as he wasn’t getting home over three miles and two miles looked too short,” said Elliott.

“Michael and Anita (O’Leary) are racing here today and it’s great to get them a winner. He looks a chaser for next year.”

On reaching his latest milestone, the trainer added: “You dream about doing something like that but it’s a testament to all the owners and our staff.

“We have a great bunch of young horses and we have been rebuilding for the last couple of years.”