Return To Base beats Mitiva © Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott has been sending out plenty of winners lately and although none of his three contenders for the Ladborokes-sponsored mares' maiden hurldle were particularly fancied, Return To Base (22/1) gave the Cullentra handler another success.
The daughter of Flemensfirth, who was beaten around ten lengths on her only previous outing at Kilbeggan over a year ago, was patiently ridden by Jack Kennedy. She made good headway after two out and came through to lead on the run to the last before comfortably accounting for Mitiva by nine lengths. Lizlucky was a length and a quarter further away in third with front-running 6/5 favourite Beyong Ambitious fading to fourth.
Elliott said: "She hadn't run since April of last year and it hasn't been the easiest to get her to the track, but Jack gave her a lovely ride. He's riding out of his skin and let her do all her good work at the finish.
"I thought it was a nice run and we're delighted. We'll keep her going over the summer."
Quotes from Alan Magee
