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Gordon Elliott sets his sights on Cheltenham in March with bumper victor

Malone Road built on his burgeoning reputation with a startling performance in the Mervyn Gray Construction (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Punchestown.

In what looked a two-horse race according to the betting, Willie Mullins’ Mt Leinster had plenty of followers having won by 22 lengths on his debut at Ballinrobe.

Malone Road had slightly more experience as he had won a point-to-point before his first bumper at Down Royal and ended up being sent off the 5-6 favourite with Mt Leinster at 6-5.

Patrick Mullins set a stiff gallop on Mt Leinster, but Jamie Codd took up the running turning into the straight and ended up pulling eight and a half lengths clear.

Elliott will now keep his powder dry until March and Betfair make him the 7-1 favourite for the Champion Bumper.

“We knew we had a nice horse horse after Down Royal and we thought he’d improved from it,” said Elliott.

“He’s got a good turn of foot and Patrick went a good gallop trying to run the speed out of us.

“He won’t run again now until Cheltenham, that will be it.”