Paul Carberry moved to within one of Davy Russell at the head of the jump jockeys table when partnering his 24th winner of the current campaign on Esporao in the opening Down District Council Ladies at Downpatrick Maiden Hurdle.

The former champion elected to make all on the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding, and the 6/4 favourite gave punters few worries.

The Hawk Wing gelding asserted before the penultimate flight, and had things well under control on the uphill climb to the line for an easy seven length victory over Clouded Thoughts (100/30). Sun Fisher (12/1) kept on one paced in third a further eight lengths adrift.

Elliott said: “He's been knocking on the door for a while and I'm delighted to win for the owner Brendan Scully. He may go for a little novice hurdle in Britain as he wants good ground.”

Incidentally Elliott has amassed a total of 19 winners in Perth this year, just one short of his record haul, and there is still a two-day meeting to come their next month (September 21 & 22).

Alan Magee