GORDON Elliott continued his blistering start to the new National Hunt season with a treble at Downpatrick. The incessant rain during the evening led to two going changes, but the Co Meath trainer’s horses powered through the sodden turf to give him five winners in the north in a week.

Ibsen started the ball rolling in the extended two and a quarter mile maiden hurdle. On his first start for Elliott, the six-year-old travelled well for Kevin Sexton and was pushed along to lead after the last. He came up the hill four lengths to the good and justified 11/8 favouritism (from 10/3 in the morning). He hadn’t been seen on a racecourse for 341 days.

Racing presenter Gary O’Brien is part of the Home And Away Partnership who owns the gelding and he commented: “We’ll tip away. Today was the plan. He might go to Perth.”

Sexton added: “He jumped great and we fancied him today. It was nice to see the rain come. I had plenty of horse under me.”

Le Grand Chene (5/1) had to work much harder for success in the two-mile, seven-furlong handicap chase. Bryan Cooper’s mount stayed on gamely to pip the 4/1 favourite Halls Bridge by a head.

“He’s tough and an out-and-out stayer. This place wouldn’t be ideal for him,” Cooper said afterwards.

This was Le Grand Chene’s second run for Elliott, having won six times in Britain for Sophie Leech.

The treble was sealed by newcomer Ultimate Horseman, who was partnered by Nina Carberry in the bumper. The Gigginstown representative was sent off the 5/4 favourite as Willie Mullins’ Hot On Her Heels was taken out due to being lame.

Itshard To No served it up to him in the final couple of furlongs but the winner saw it out best by two and three quarter lengths.

BLINKERS

Carberry said: “He was very green and didn’t know what to do but in fairness he stuck at it well. He handled the ground fine.”

Noel Meade’s Josephine Marcus, in the first-time blinkers, took victory by two lengths in the mares’ handicap hurdle at odds of 10/3. She kept at it well in fending off 5/2 favourite Feel The Air who had won over course and distance last-time out.

Ger Fox said of the West Coast Pinner Syndicate horse: “She jumped very well and I had to keep her covered. The blinkers kept her straight. She probably would have won in Limerick but she got pushed a bit and took the easy way out (ran out at the second last). She has improved a bit more and put her head down and went for the gap. She’s a nice mare to look forward to.”

Redclue couldn’t have been any more impressive in the extended two-mile, five-furlong handicap hurdle. Danny Mullins sent him clear after the last and he recorded a 20-length success for his new handler Gillian Callaghan. There was quite a touch landed on the gelding who was as big as 8/1 in the morning but went off 7/2.

“A good first run for us. We probably have him six or seven weeks. He schooled well over hurdles. He’s genuine and better ground would suit him better,” Callaghan said. “That’s the first winner for the E R Syndicate. There are four in it and they are from Sligo and Donegal.”

The extended two-mile, five-furlong trip in The Waltz From A Samba Maiden Hurdle was clearly relished by Getting Late (3/1) who overturned the 6/5 favourite Shake It Up by five and a half lengths.

Edward O’Grady, who trained the winner for J.P. McManus, said: “The last time he ran Alan Crowe said that he should step up in trip.”

IDLING

Finea at 12/1 was always doing enough despite idling in front in The Frank Fitzsimmons Maiden Hunters Steeplechase. The eight-year-old gelding held strong-finishing El Grande by three-quarters of a length.

Marshall Watson, son of trainer/owner Keith Watson, said: “He’ll go to Tipperary on Thursday for a handicap chase if he gets in. He’s had a lot of issues and only appeared at Largy two weeks ago when he needed the run.

“This wasn’t unexpected at all. He’s been working well with Heavenly Brook. Some shrewd people got 25/1 yesterday! He never wins by too far.”

This win supplemented the three point-to-points he has gained in his career.

Newman fined

The stewards fined W. Newman, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Joeythebird, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer’s written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.