Gortmillish, near side, comes to challenge Charlie Luciano over the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
Gortmillish (9/4) brought up a double for Gordon Elliott when battling home in the rated novice hurdle at Downpatrick.
He was up in trip to an extended two miles five furlongs and was on and off the bridle as 6/4 favourite Charlie Luciano adopted his front-running tactics.
The Sinndar gelding found for pressure, though, and moved up to challenge Charlie Luciano over the last.
Whips were drawn on the front pair on the uphill climb for home and it was Gortmillish who edged ahead in the final 150 yards. He stayed on well to draw a length and three-quarters clear of the favourite.
Elliott said: "He gallops and he is really honest.
"The track was a bit tight for him but he won well.
"I'm delighted with him, he's a grand horse.
"No, he won't go to Perth (over an extended two miles in three days time), he probably wants three miles."
Elliott took the preceding race on the card with Foxfire Glow
