Image © Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott’s domination of the Christmas action crossed into the hunter chase division as the well-backed Last Round ran out a dominant winner of the Grant Thornton Maiden Hunter Chase on the final day of the Limerick Christmas Festival.
Gordon Elliott’s domination of the Christmas action crossed into the hunter chase division as the well-backed Last Round ran out a dominant winner of the Grant Thornton Maiden Hunter Chase on the final day of the Limerick Christmas Festival.
Sporting new ownership, having been purchased for just 3,000gns in the Tattersalls Online sale in July to remain at Elliott’s Cullentra Stables, the six-year-old’s new owner, Liz Graham, recouped that purchase price in one run as he scooped the €6,000 first prize in decisive fashion.
Josh Halford brought the Getaway gelding into a share of the lead alongside both Made U Look and Revolut Ned; however the 7/2 shot was soon able to swiftly pull clear of that pair early in the home straight.
Gordon Elliott this month:
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 29, 2025
%uD83E%uDD47 34 winners
%uD83D%uDCC8 25% strike-rate
%uD83D%uDCB0 £97.71
Last Round continues the fine run and brilliant Christmas for the yard in the opener at @LimerickRaces @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/j7rm7fWQ2K
Although the loose Long Road did encourage him to jump out to his right at the penultimate fence, it was all plain sailing from that point as he galloped clear to record his second career success by ten lengths.
West Of Carrig, who had finished third behind Con’s Roc and Willitogahead in the corresponding contest 12 months earlier, came through to take second, with Nibbles coming through from the rear of the field to take third.
“It was very easy, so you couldn’t complain,” Halford said.
“He took me the whole way, travelled well and jumped very well. The loose horse maybe actually done me more favours than, rather than getting me in trouble. Just to have him there, kind of helped me along.
“I was happy with him; he did it very easy and I didn’t have to ask him a whole pile of questions. In fairness, he was working very well at home - I gave him a school, and he was jumping well.
“His form is actually quite good really, look it was a maiden hunters chase, so I thought he was good enough to win one of them anyway.
“It’s great to be in a yard that is producing so many winners and it’s nice to be able to get one for him as well.
“Gordon has been very good to me, he’s given me plenty of opportunities. The same with Enda Bolger, he’s been very good to me as well.
“I’m very grateful and I’m getting a lot of outside opportunities as well. Things are tipping along nicely, so I’m happy.”
