Gerri Colombe makes winning start over flights

Gordon Elliott's Gerri Colombe readily shed his maiden tag in the opening maiden hurdle at Down Royal.

The former point-to-point winner who also won the two bumpers he contested, went off a warm order at 2/5f to oblige on hurdling debut.

He tracked Ailie Rose throughout and moved to the front under Denis O'Regan before the second last.

The Saddle Maker gelding merely had to be pushed out to assert on the run-in to ease home by eight and a half lengths.

Ailie Rose had no answers in second at 8/1 but was 16 lengths clear of third-placed Rajsalad (10/1).

O'Regan said: "He's still very green for a horse that has done so much, he still has a lot to learn.

"He jumped well and he is a beautiful horse to look forward to. A nice stayer.

"He has a nice bit of class."

Paddy Power halved Gerri Colombe from 40/1 to 20/1 for the Albert Bartlett.