Elliott delighted to give Meath GAA sponsors their first Cheltenham winner
Gilligan, Pipe Conditional Photo Better Martin Handicap Hurdle Moran Danny Valerie Days They Racing Won With Picture: The Healy After And Noel Ahead Jockeys' Caitriona Bolger,
For a few reasons, Gordon Elliott particularly enjoyed winning the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap race, the final one of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
Better Days Ahead, a 5-1 shot ridden by Keith Donoghue, beat favourite Waterford Whispers down the home straight to delight Elliott.
Better Days Ahead (5-1) brings the Festival to a rousing conclusion in the Martin Pipe! 💫
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 15, 2024
Hats off to @DannyGilligan8 and @gelliott_racing 🫡 pic.twitter.com/fDEk8XR0ar
It was the Meath-based trainer's second winner of Friday and his third of the week. Martin Pipe, the English trainer for whom the race is named, is an idol of Elliott. Also, the trainer was particularly pleased for owners Noel and Valerie Moran.
The Morans, who run eCOMM Merchant Solutions, a payment gateway for businesses, also sponsor the Meath football team through their Bective Stud which is based outside Navan.
"I got as big a kick out of that as any winner this week," Elliott told Racing TV.
"To win the Martin Pipe race first of all, he's my idol in life.
"Noel and Valerie Moran, the Bective Stud, they are sponsoring my yard, they are one of my biggest supporters. I'm very good friends with them.
"They sponsor Meath football. They are massive people for sport in Meath. To have their first Cheltenham winner is unbelievable. No people deserve it more.
"They are putting so much money into the game. What they do for me, Meath football and everyone, I'm absolutely delighted.
"I've been trying to get them a Cheltenham winner but we've been hitting the crossbar. They are really going to enjoy this. They are brilliant people."
Regarding the horse, Elliott added: "He's a big chaser. We minded him for this race. He had a good run in Navan a few months ago. We said we'd come straight here."
🗣️ "He's my idol in life."
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 15, 2024
Emotional @gelliott_racing could barely conceal his pride after winning the Martin Pipe with Better Days Ahead. pic.twitter.com/kns6OyvhUJ