Elite Charbonniere off the mark over hurdles For the same connections as the winner of the first division, Elite Charbonniere (10/11 into 4/6 fav) made all to comfortably take the TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle (Div II). The Virginian moved up to try and make a race of it going to two out, but the winner shrugged off a mistake at that flight to go clear again in the straight. The Virginian weakened before the last as newcomer Given Wings (33/1) and Edison Kent (22/1) came through for minor honours behind the Paul Towend-partnered six length winner. Like Grand Bornard half an hour earlier, Elite Charbonniere had won an AQPS flat race in France but it hasn’t been plain sailing for him since with a couple of long absences between his appearances over the course of the last few years. He had run well after 18 months off when fourth to the smart Master McShee on his previous outing at Cork in December and was getting off the mark on his fifth start over hurdles. “He got the job done and he jumped the last like he would prefer a fence,” said winning trainer Willie Mullins. “I think good ground is hugely beneficial to him so he'll keep going from now on. “It's the same with (first race winner) Grand Bornand and we'll probably target all the festivals with them.” Quotes from Gary Carson
