Gordon Elliott warned up for his tilt at the Guinness Galway Hurdle, with his Dirar later today when Chicago Grey ran out the narrow winner of the opening The Perfect Pint Beginners Chase at Galway today.

Chicago Grey stayed on gamely in the straight to hold the late challenge of Dermot Weld’s 100/30f Prince Erik which never appeared to travel well at any point.

Afterwards Elliott briefly mentioned “I’m delighted for Chicago Grey’s owner John Earls, who is from Galway and also owns Hoopy (a winner yesterday) with me – happy days!”