The Gordon Elliott trained Landau readily justified 5/6 favouritism to win the opening Botanica International Natural Herbal Products Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick today.

Ridden by Davy Condon, the dual all-weather winner (at Lingfield and Wolverhampton) moved past sole danger Captain Carleton after the final flight and from there never came off the bridle for an eased down length and a quarter win.

Afterwards Elliott stated “he probably deserved to do that on his last run and on his two flat runs and he's a grand fun horse.

“We'll keep him going but he wouldn't want it too heavy - he'll go on yielding to soft.”

Quotes from Michael Graham