Rodaniche rewarded patient owners with a second career win today at Down Royal, landing the Molson Coors Rated Novice Hurdle for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Davy Russell.

The son of Arcadio was a maiden hurdle winner a Wexford in October, and while withdrawn from two recent engagements, today reappeared on his first run for 59 days when beating Clifton Warrior comfortably by two and a quarter lengths.

Winning jockey Russell later reported "the owner (Brendan Scully) was very patient with him because we took him out of Leopardstown (unsuitable ground over Christmas) and Clonmel (stone bruise, on January 6) so deserved that.

"I was a little bit worried about the ground but he handled it reasonably well to be fair and the distance, I thought he wanted a bit further.

"Gordon always seems to do the right thing!"

Quotes from Michael Graham