Big Stage gets his day in Downpatrick

Gordon Elliott's Big Stage made all to land the odds in the opening maiden hurdle at Downpatrick.

The 10/11 favourite asserted on the run-in and swept home by six and a-half lengths in the hands of Sam Ewing. Step Out (2/1) could make no impression in second, but was four and a-half lengths clear of third-placed Point Gellibrand (15/2).

Assistant trainer Lisa O'Neill said: "He has been ultra consistent and he did very little wrong here the last day, but he deserved to get his day in the sun.

"He has improved with every run and he'll make a lovely chaser in time. He has a great bit of size about him.

"Sammy didn't get hassled at the front end and he got a lovely free lead, and he seemed to enjoy himself as well.

"There didn't seem to be a whole pile of obvious pace, so Sam used his head and it paid dividends."

Big Stage was placed in four maiden hurdles prior to today.