The Leader Newspaper
EMMA Lavelle trained Paisley Park goes to post as 3-1 favourite in the Stayers’ Hurdle after impressing in the last two years with eight victories from 10 runs, underlined when winning a second Long Walk at Ascot.
Envoi Allen is odds-on to land the Marsh Novices’ Chase at 4-5 underlined after being unbeaten in 11 races under rules and has won twice at the Festival having won the Champion Bumper in 2019 and the 2020 Ballymore.
After Envoi Allen’s win in the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse in November success in a Grade 3 at Punchestown rubber stamped credentials, having switched to Henry De Bromhead from Gordon Elliott leading up to the Festival.
Updated / Friday, 5 Mar 2021
22:25
Gordon Elliott
Gordon Elliott has been suspended from training for 12 months, with six months suspended, and ordered to pay costs of €15,000, following his Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board referrals committee hearing.
A photo of Elliott sitting on a dead horse named Morgan appeared on social media last weekend, with the trainer admitting that the image was genuine in a statement released on Sunday evening.
According to a statement, the IHRB referrals committee found Elliott in breach of rules 272(i) of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules, in that he acted in a manner which was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of the sport.
RTÉ Sport journalist
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board s referrals committee convened at 9.30am this morning to hear evidence in the investigation into the conduct of leading trainer Gordon Elliott.
A photo of Elliott sitting on a dead horse appeared on social media last weekend, with the trainer admitting that the image was genuine in a statement released on Sunday evening.
The Cullentra House handler is still saddling runners on this side of the Irish Sea, but has been prohibited from having runners in Britain by the British Horseracing Authority, pending the outcome of the IHRB hearing.
Many had assumed that Friday s hearing would be held remotely due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, but it emerged on Thursday that the parties in question would meet in person Friday morning, with the IHRB s Curragh headquarters believed to be the venue for proceedings. However, the hearing is taking place at an undisclosed venue.
Gordon Elliott hearing recap as trainer suspended for six months over dead horse image
The Meath trainer has said the image is indefensible and he will move a step closer today to learning both the professional and financial cost of the incident
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The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board will begin hearing evidence today on the controversial image of trainer Gordon Elliott sitting astride a dead horse which emerged this week.
Widespread condemnation of the picture has followed since Elliott admitted himself that it was genuine and had not been doctored as many social media users had initially theorised when the picture was first shared online.
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