Favourite Bondage survives Enquiry

Bondage survived a Stewards Enquiry after he just got the better of Face Facts to land the Follow Sligo on Facebook Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for trainer Gordon Elliott with Keith Donoghue in the saddle.

The winning 5yo son of Whipper edged right close home and bumped into Face Facts when battling out the finish with that rival.

He just done enough on the run-in to hold on by a short head and after a lengthy Enquiry the Stewards left the result stand.

The winner was returned the 7/4 favourite having finished a good second on his last start at Bellewstown last weekend behind Brian Who.

The runner-up, Face Facts for Ben Dalton and Prunella Dobbs, was returned at 12/1 while Kalmez was ten lengths back in third for Philip Rothwell and Andrew Ring at 20/1.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said afterwards: "The ground was probably a bit dead for him today as he needs quick ground. He is entered at Killarney next week and he will probably run there."

(On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)