Gordon Elliott's history-making Brutal tops Triumph Market after impressive Cork victory

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Cheltenham Festival’s top trainer Gordon Elliott enjoyed his first trained winner for Qatar Racing, as Brutal made a winning debut over hurdles.

Elliott, whose best horses have been with leading Irish owners Gigginstown, is one of the leading National Hunt handlers, and has paid back some trust for the Qatari’s with an impressive win at Cork.

The four-year-old skipped over hurdles with ease, before pulling clear of the field in impressive style under Davy Russell.

"It wasn't the strongest race in the world, but he did what he did and will improve from it and will have to improve going forward," said the County Meath handler.

"I think he's a nice horse and had a good (Flat) rating.

"I'd have to say a big thanks to Qatar Racing and Sheikh Fahad for sending him to me as it's my first runner in those colours.

"Like a lot of those juveniles after their first run, they will go up or down or stay where they are.

"We've often had horses that were rated 60 (on the Flat) and they end up being better than the 100-rated horses, so it's how they take to it the next day is how you know."

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Brutal was defeated by 3 1/2 lengths by Rivet in the Racing Post Trophy last October

Brutal has bags of potential after some top form as a juvenile, when with Ger Lyons he most notably  finishing fifth place finish in the competitive Racing Post Trophy.

The three-year-old has currently been installed as the 25-1 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle following his encouraging defeat of Grey Waters.

Espoir D’Allen also is vying for Triumph glory, he’s owned by JP McManus and won the same French bumper that last year’s hero Defi Du Seuil won before switching to Phillip Hobbs’ setup.

The one-time winner on the flat heads the market along with French raiders Empreinte Reconce and Grand Sancy.

Elliott may begin to train more Qatari horses in the coming years, and their illustrious pedigree could give them some force over jumps.