Pertemps Final on The Race Lab

Elliott's Boyne Hurdle 1-2-3 Rewrites Navan History

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Sunday’s William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan will go down as a career highlight for Gordon Elliott. Not just because Staffordshire Knot justified 11/10 favouritism — but because Elliott became the first trainer in at least a decade to fill all three places in this Grade 2 staying contest.

Staffordshire Knot led home stablemates Better Days Ahead and Maxxum in that order, finishing 12 lengths clear of fourth-placed Colonel Mustard. The clean sweep wasn’t just a novelty. According to SmartForm data, no trainer has managed a 1-2-3 in the Boyne Hurdle since at least 2010, when reliable records begin.

Elliott's One-Two-Three Signals Cheltenham Intent as Staffordshire Knot Hits Form

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Gordon Elliott sent a message to the rest of the Irish training ranks on Sunday: he means business this spring.

The Cullentra House handler swept the first three places in the Grade 2 William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan, with Staffordshire Knot justifying 11/10 favouritism to lead home stablemates Better Days Ahead and Maxxum. The only other runner, Henry De Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake, finished tailed off in last.

It was a statement performance from the winner, who has rediscovered his form in handicaps this winter after a frustrating 2024/25 campaign over hurdles.