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Gordon Elliott isolates himself after testing positive for Covid-19.
The Co Meath coach was not in Leopardstown on Valentine’s Day to watch his runners Wide Receiver and Zanahiyr win their respective races after testing positive for the virus.
In a statement read by Brian Gleeson at RTE Racing, Elliott said: “As part of the recommended return from the day 5 trip test, I have tested positive for coronavirus. It has been a huge surprise as I have been asymptomatic and will now continue to isolate myself. for another 10 days.
“Since the test result came back, we have had all the staff here at Cullentra screened and luckily all the tests came back negative.”
Zanahiyr took his undefeated jumping record to three by earning grade two honors at the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle in Leopardstown.
A first winner at the Flat when he was with Michael Halford, Nathaniel’s son has done nothing wrong on the smaller obstacles since joining Gordon Elliott and has driven his claims for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham with commanding success.
With a 3-pound penalty for a grade three win at Fairyhouse, the 1-2 favorite justified his prohibitive odds in the way his fans would have hoped.
(Image: © INPHO / Morgan Treacy)
Joseph O’Brien’s pair of Druid’s Altar and Busselton made the run early and as the former began to weaken, Busselton made a valiant effort to go with Zanahiyr, who had progressed smoothly under Jack Kennedy to enter the fray and eventually swept the O’Brien just got to the side to score by three lengths and three quarters.
“It was a great performance,” Kennedy said.
“It was a completely opposite race from the last day. We were very firm and he still won, so it shows that he can do it anyway.”
“He just did what he had to do. Quilixios (undefeated stablemate) is also very good, but I think he could top it.”
Zanahiyr was cut to a 100-30 favorite from 4-1 for the Triumph by Betfair.
The victory completed a quick double for Elliott and Kennedy after the Wide Receiver’s victory in the previous race.
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