Beg denies odds-on Guesswork in the bumper The Andy Oliver trained Scotch Beg denied Gordon Elliott a four-timer, as she took the last at Downpatrick, the Molson Coors (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race. Beaten a long way into fifth on her last start at Clonmel, the daughter of Presenting was sent off at 10/1 under Helen Mooney. Settled in second she got to the front over two furlongs out, and battled on gamely under pressure from there to see off the favourite by half a length. The runner-up, who was ridden by Lisa O'Neill, wasn't helped by the winner who drifted left in the closing stages. Andrew Oliver said afterwards: "That's the first time I've met Helen (Mooney) but she gave her a super ride. She was spot on where she was supposed to be. "She ran well at Clonmel and didn't really find. Apparently there was a lot of rain which I would say maybe deadened her pace. She likes the good ground and travelled sweet as a nut (today). It was a good run-in, I thought anything could happen on the run-in. "Downpatrick has been very lucky for me. I haven't had that many National Hunt horses over the last year or two. We have won bumpers here. The last bumper horse I had won here about three years ago. "She has had a tough campaign. We were going to leave her off for the autumn but you never know, the plans could change. She might have hit a sweet spot. "She is a very honest mare owned by people (Bill MacKenzie and family) who have been great supporters of mine this year or so with this mare. It means an awful lot to them so I'm delighted." The winner is a half-sister to Hello George, who recorded his fourth career success on his last start at Newbury in March. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
