Three more for in-form Gordon Elliott

Gordon Elliott has started the new season as he ended the old and registered a 31/1 treble with Ibsen, Le Grand Chene and Ultimate Horseman in Downpatrick last night.

Elliott was in Chester to saddle Eshtiaal and missed seeing Ibsen, having his first run in almost a year and making his debut for his new stable, land a gamble in the opening Downe Maiden Hurdle, quickening for Kevin Sexton to see off longtime leader Unic De Bersy.

Le Grand Chene, a six-time winner in Britain and having his second start for Elliott, was given a strong ride by Bryan Cooper to foil Halls Bridge in the Celebrity Judges Handicap Chase, getting up late to score by a head, to give Cooper his first success of the new campaign.