Chosen Mate puts the cherry on top for Elliott team Four winners at Downpatrick were supplemented for Gordon Elliott at Killarney when his Chosen Mate ran out a convincing victor of division one of the MC Construction (Q.R.) Maiden. Hero of the hour in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March, Chosen Mate built on a return towards the rear finish in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary last month. Lisa O’Neill was giving off positive signals atop the Well Chosen gelding as he still moved smoothly up the straight. Asserting from over a furlong out the 16/5 scorer went on to prevail by three and a half lengths and four and a half lengths from Nibblers Charm and favourite Peregrine Run. Trapped wide and losing ground around the bottom bends, Peregrine Run did okay in the circumstances and another success for Peter Fahey’s great stalwart shouldn’t be far away. "The horses all seem to be in great form and he travelled really well most of the way around,” reported O’Neill. "He jumped on the bridle at the two furlong pole like a fresh horse and enjoyed it there today; hopefully it is the start of a good season for him." (TW & EM)
