Benbulben off the mark over fences

The Gordon Elliott trained Mount Benbulben made it third time lucky over fences when overcoming a slightly hair-raising round of jumping to win the Nicky Connors - Lifetime In Racing Beginners Steeplechase at Fairyhouse today.

Ably ridden by Davy Condon, the gelding, a high lcass novice hurdler last season, almost came to grief at the second fence and needed Condon's patience to get back into the race. Although untidy at stages, the 8/13 favourite coasted to the front before the final fence before recording an easy five lengths win over Mackeys Forge

Afterwards Elliott stated “Mount Benbulben has got a right engine if we can get his jumping right. He is a bit sketchy and it was a good performance considering he was nearly on the ground (at the second fence).

“We'll look for something over Christmas and he's entered in the three miles Grade 1 Fort Leney Chase at Leopardstown and he'd have no trouble staying that trip.”

Further reporting from Alan Magee