Flaxen gets the job done on debut over fences

Flaxen Flare ran out an easy winner on his debut over fences as he took the Charles Caldwell Memorial Beginners Chase under Barry O'Neill for Gordon Elliott.

The six-year-old son of Windsor Knot was last seen winning a hurdle at Galway in September and he was sent off the 4/11 favourite here.

Settled in mid-division he improved into second before five out and hit the front before the second last.

He never came off the bridle as he went on to score by four lengths from Six Senses in second under Keith Donoghue for Andrew Lynch at 20/1.

Gordon Elliott said afterwards: "That's a lovely start. He got a good education the further he went. Barry Geraghty won on him in Galway and said he might not have the scope for winter so that's why we came here.

"Most of our jockeys are suspended or injured so we put Barry (O'Neill) up. He's riding plenty of point-to-points every weekend."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham