Elliott dominates with first three home in beginners' chase

Gordon Elliott had all bases covered after the last two fences in the dip in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners’ Chase as his runners occupied the first three places.

On the long run uphill Pencilfulloflead (5/1) had to work quite hard to see off the game effort of long-time leader Coko Beach (10/1) by three quarters of a length, with Braeside (33/1) following home his stable companions another four and three quarter lengths away. The 5/4 favourite Diol Ker was an early faller.

It was a winning chase debut for the Shantou gelding who won a bumper and a maiden hurdle last season.

“The ground is tiring and though he had his own way of jumping at times you’d have to be happy with that for a first run over fences,” said winning rider Rachael Blackmore.

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy