Monroe the star in Downpatrick opener

The Gordon Elliott-trained Mel Monroe justified her short price with an easy victory in the opening mares maiden hurdle at Downpatrick this afternoon.

Danny Gilligan tracked the front-running Littel Flour on the 4/7 hotpot before cruising into the lead going to the second last flight in the two-mile-two contest.

The Walk In The Park filly asserted over the last and only had to be nudged along briefly on the run-in to go clear for a cosy 13-length success. Howaya C D And E stayed on to win the battle for the runner-up spot.

The winner was making her first start since finishing fourth on her hurdling debut at Down Royal last December. She was a point-to-point winner for Harley Dunne last year before joining Elliott.

Elliott said: "She's a nice mare, I think she is a good mare.

"She wasn't right after she ran last year in Down Royal.

"Danny was impressed with her and said there is improvement in her. She lengthened the whole way to the line.

"I think she will definitely win again.

""I don't know if it (rain) made any difference, I'd say it is beautiful ground. It will have done the track no harm anyway.

"We'll see where we go. They are good owners (KTDA Racing) and we haven't had much luck for them, so I am just delighted to get a winner for them."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)