Poignant success for Elegant Dan The David O'Brien-trained Elegant Dan was a poignant winner of the Pickerdstown Handicap Chase. Previously in the colours of Denis Tarrant, who passed away last year, the ten-year-old now represents the Fastey For Fun Syndicate. A course winner back in 2020, the imposing chestnut was sent off a 22/1 chance (33s early) this evening, having finished down the field on his return to action at Limerick last month. Settled behind the leaders by JJ Slevin, he improved to dispute the lead on the approach to the second last, getting to the front on the run-in before going on to score by a length-and-a-half. The front-running Rudy Catrail (10/1), who got in as a reserve, had to settle for second, with a mistake at the last certainly not helping his cause. There was another five lengths back to Seskin Flyer (7/1 from 16s early) in third, while Bearwithmenow (4/1f) was a disappointing seventh. "That was great. He lost his way and he had a few niggly problems," O’Brien revealed. "His owner Denis Tarrant died last year and the syndicate took him over then. In fairness they have been patient with him. "For a big horse he loves that good ground. I wasn't overly confident because I was disappointed with his first run back at Limerick. He was working wicked well up to that run, but he just seems to have improved from it. "In fairness to JJ, he gave him a great ride, he got him into a lovely rhythm and he jumped superb. "He is versatile in terms of hurdles and fences and is back to a winnable mark over both. Hopefully he stays in one piece and will come back here again in August.”
