Gordon Elliott admitted he was surprised with Champagne Classic‘s victory in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned horse, who also won the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, overcame rivals Penhill, Tin Soldier and Monalee to triumph at the Festival on Wednesday.
Trainer Elliott says he wasn’t expecting the six-year-old to come out on top and was pleasantly surprised with how the 14/1 shot handled the occasion.
Elliott said: “I’m surprised he won but he’s a nice horse and he’s going to be a nice chaser. He keeps trying and he seems to like that better ground.”
Jockey Bryan Cooper described Champagne Classic as a “fantastic horse” after the Grade One success.
He said: “He did it well. The better ground has brought the best out of him. He was a good winner at the Cheltenham Festival and he’s stepped up in into Grade One level. He’s a fantastic horse.”
