Penny is Perfect in Downpatrick for Elliott and Gilligan Gordon Elliott's Penny Perfect relished every yard of the extended two-miles-fives-furlongs in the Randox Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick. Danny Gilligan raced her in mid-division and the Capri filly was left third and hampered when the leader Minella Supreme departed two out. She was sent into the lead over the last and readily drew clear in the closing stages to post a nine-and-a-half-length success. Mavetherave (5/2jf) was headed by the winner over the last and couldn't go with her up the hill, so had to settle for second. Gilligan said: "She took a big step forward from her first run here and the step up to 2m5f made all the difference, I think. "She is very hardy and she's honest, she stays going. "The first day she was quite green - coming out of Gordon's she was probably one of the greener ones. She has really stepped up on that. The form was there after the first race with Lightning Legs finishing second. We were hopeful and we knew the step up to 2m5f would be no issue. "She is small, but she has a lot of heart which makes all the difference. She's very genuine. "You'd like to think there is plenty left to work on. I'm sure the owners and Gordon will have a plan for her." She finished fourth on debut in a maiden hurdle over an extended 2m1f at this track just over a fortnight ago.
