Hunting Brook brought up a double for Gordon Elliott at Down Royal on his first start for the stable.

He was all the rage down to 5/4 favourite and was up in trip for this extended three mile handicap hurdle.

Jack Kennedy progressed him to fourth after four out and the pair were left second after the next. They disputed at the final flight and soon led before keeping on best to see off Benkei (22/1) by three-parts of a length. Workforadime (18/1) was the same distance back in third with a gap back to fourth-placed Eagle Terrace (28/1).

Elliott said: "He was showing us enough there at home that we were happy enough with him.

"I bought him at the Sales (Goffs UK Sale, May 2023).

"We stepped him right up in trip - I'd say you could actually bring him back to 2m4f or 2m6f, he has enough pace.

"He's lowly handicapped so we will see where we go, he'll be okay.

"It is our 100th winner of the season, so it is nice to do it again."

Hunting Brook raced in Britain for Emma Lavelle where he was unplaced in six outings.

Elliott took the opener with Zefiro Dodville