Kala Conti ran out a game winner of the Eventsec Handicap Hurdle to give Gordon Elliott a quick double on the card at Down Royal.

The Robcour-owned filly was a Grade 2 winner over timber last season and went to post a 4/1 shot on her handicap debut this afternoon.

Carl Millar produced his mount to dispute two from home but after flattening that flight she was on the back foot.

The daughter of Karaktar rallied to challenge again over the last and got on top on the run-in to post a length-and-three-quarter success over Helvic Dream

Elliott said: "Lisa (O'Neill, assistant trainer) is the only judge we have because she said she would win and we all went for the other one (Golden Joy)!

"She's not a bad mare and she had graded form last year.

"I thought she would need the run to honest."

When asked if she will go back into graded company, he replied: "I wouldn't rule it out.

"There's a good mares' hurdle in Leopardstown (Dublin Racing Festival) which has good money."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)