Irish Point (Joshua Tree) wins the Turners Mersey Novices Hurdle, Grade I at Aintree for Gordon Elliott and owners Robcour.
A 5-1 chance under Davy Russell – winning his second Grade One of the week – the grey ran in mid-division and crept into a more prominent position as the field turned for home.
Behind the leaders over the penultimate hurdle, the five-year-old took up the lead over the last and pulled clear up the home straight to win comfortably from Kateira, who was three and a half lengths in arrears.
Gordon Elliott, the winning trainer of Irish Point, said: “We decided to miss Cheltenham and come here fresh and it worked out well, he travelled well the whole way. He’s a nice chasing prospect but he could stay jumping hurdles too, he likes soft ground and there’s a lot of prize money to be won with him so we’re happy with him.
“It’s brilliant for Davy (Russell), that’s two Grade One wins for the week now. He deserves a good send off and he’s getting it now. He said enough was enough after Cheltenham but I gave him a ring and said ‘I don’t want you to go out like that Davy, we’ve been together for too long’ so I’m delighted for him to win another Grade One. I’m delighted for the whole team at Cullentra House Stables and for the owners.”
Irish Point was purchased privately on behalf of connections.
