Elsie eases to victory in the opener at Sligo

Elsie got off the mark on her second start over fences as she eased to victory in the opener at Sligo, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase, scoring under Paul Townend for Tom Mullins.

The seven-year-old daughter of Milan finished second to Royal Flight on her debut over fences at Killarney in August, and she was sent off the even money favourite to go one place better today.

Settled in third she improved into second two out and travelled smoothly into the straight.

She soon disputed and hit the front just before the last, going on to score by three and a half lengths. Sweet Sylvia who attempted to make all, finished second under Jonathan Burke for Ken Budds at 33/1.

She’s A Leader was sent off the 5/4 second favourite but she wasn’t fluent in her jumping and finished a disappointing fourth.

Paul Townend said afterwards: "She did it nicely. She was just a bit careful and slow with her jumping but I knew after the second last when I gave her a squeeze that I had plenty left."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee