Make A Track gives Elliott and O'Neill double

Gordon Elliott landed a double at Down Royal on the first meeting of the new National Hunt season courtesy of Make A Track in the two and a half mile handicap chase.

The 15/2 shot was ridden by Barry O'Neill who also bagged a double on the day. They saw off Marito (12/1) by half a length. Pride Of The Artic at 20/1 was a further six and a half lengths away in third.

Favourite backers were out of luck as 9/2 joint favourites Riverside City and Morney Wing both departed the race. The former fell at the first while the latter unseated at the second last.

Elliott said: "It's nice to get the season off to a good start. Last season was our best one. He's a bit of a character. Barry was good and strong on him. He said he wasn't doing a stroke in front."

This was Make A Track's third start for Elliott having been formerly trained by Charlie Swan.

Elliott and O'Neill took the preceding race with 4/11 favourite Flaxen Flare