The Gordon Elliott trained Noble Endeavor readily justified strong 4/11 favouritism to win the opening Irish Stallions Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase at Down Royal today, under jockey Jack Kennedy.

The winner moved past front-runner Marlbrook after two out and in the end scored a two and a half lengths win.

Afterwards Kennedy said: "he did it well and probably only does enough. He jumped brilliantly and travelled well. I thought maybe the leader had got away from me but as soon as I got after him he picked him up well and won going away.

"The ground is very heavy."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham