Avenir D'Une Vie wins the feature on first start for Elliott

Avenir D’Une Vie (4/1) made all and jumped really well to land the featured EasyFix Handicap Chase (Grade B) by seven lengths from Doctor Phoenix (16/1).

Last year’s winner Duca De Thaix (9/1) was third to give Gordon Elliott a 1-2-3 in the race.

It was Jack Kennedy’s first winner on his fourth ride back since recovering from a fractured collarbone sustained at Punchestown in October. Kildorrery had travelled well into contention turning in, but was held in second when crashing out at the last. The 13/8 favourite Mind’s Eye was a distant last of the four finishers.

The winner won two bumpers for Willie Mulins, before switching to Henry de Bromhead for whom he won two hurdles and a beginners’ chase.

He was off for a year before returning to action in January, but he didn’t show much over fences in the spring and reverted to hurdles to take a minor event at Downpatrick in July.

He was sold by Gigginstown in September and was making his first start for Elliott and new owner Lee Power here, and running over fences for the first time since March.

“It was a great pot and we knew he was working well at home, said winning trainer Gordon Elliott.

"In fairness to Lee Power we bought him (for £9,000 at Doncaster in September) with no owner and he took him.

“A big thanks has to go to Eddie O’Leary because he told me to buy him at the sales. He told me there wasn’t too many problems with him and I should definitely buy him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee