Elliott at the double - twice

Odds-on favourite Landau and Drunken Counsel provided trainer Gordon Elliott with a double on Downpatrick’s Bank Holiday card on a day when the County Meath handler also doubled-up, with Balbriggan and Taglietelle at Cartmel.

A winner on the all-weather in England before joining Elliott, 5/6 favourite Landau cruised to a cosy length and a quarter win over Captain Carleton in the opening Botanica International Natural Herbal Products Maiden Hurdle, quickening past his market rival early on the long, uphill run-in before being eased down near the finish.

“He’s a grand fun horse,” stated Elliott, “We’ll keep him going for a while, although he won’t run on heavy ground.”