Grade 1 winning hurdler Lieutenant Colonel made a winning debut over fences at Gowran today, landing the concluding At The Races Beginners Chase for trainer Gordon Elliott, owner Gigginstown House Stud and jockey Bryan Cooper.

The son of Kayf Tara won Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle in 2014 but failed to win in just five subsequent starts, four of which came in Grade 1 races at both the 2015 and 2016 Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals.

The 4/6 favourite was made work by Gigginstown’s other runner Just Cause who was within a length and a half of the winner at the line.

Elliott, who was completing a double on the day for Gigginstown following the earlier win with Blood Crazed Tiger later commented “he's a grand horse, and we'll look for a winners race. I'd say a step up in trip will suit him."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee