Buyer Beware off the mark for Elliott at first attempt in Downpatrick

Roger Loughran rode his first winner for Gordon Elliott when Buyer Beware, having his first run for the trainer and returning from a winter break, captured the opening Count Me In Maiden Hurdle in good style from Sold Heat at Downpatrick yesterday.

The winner was bought by Tom O’Driscoll out of Jessica Harrington’s for €35,000 at Goffs last November and Elliott commented: “It wasn’t the strongest race in the world, but he did it well. He’ll be a stone better horse on good ground. He might go to Perth in three weeks for a novice.”

Bryan Cooper registered his first win since Don Cossack’s superb Gold Cup triumph in Cheltenham when 9/4 favourite Le Grand Chene, a course winner last May, outstayed top-weight Pointview Gale in the Download The Racing Post Android App Handicap Chase, with two and three-quarter lengths separating them at the line