Elliott & Johnson double-up at Musselburgh

Gordon Elliott teamed up with Richard Johnson to secure a short-priced first and last race double at Musselburgh.

The Ronnie Bartlett-owned Fagan was the 1-7 favourite for the opening British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle, making his third successive appearance in Scotland after bumper wins at Perth and Ayr in the autumn.

Those brave enough to take the prohibitive odds on his hurdling bow had few concerns throughout the two-mile contest, with Fagan moving to the lead before the second flight from the finish and extending clear for a six-length success over Away For Slates.

Johnson said: "It's great to come up here, especially when Gordon Elliott brings two horses over.

"He (Fagan) won very easily at Perth and his bumper at Ayr was a good-run race.

"It was a great introduction for him today. He came here and ticked all the right boxes and did it well. For his confidence, it's nice to set him off in this bracket."

The Elliott-Johnson combination struck gold once more when Fairyhouse winner Myztique (1-4 favourite), last seen finishing fourth behind the exciting Augusta Kate in a Listed race at Naas, eventually pulled clear in the concluding Bet With Your Racing UK App Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

There was also success for Ireland in the Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Hurdle as Moonlone Lane, successful over fences at Fairyhouse last month, ran out a determined winner on his return to the smaller obstacles.

Trained in County Dublin by Paul Stafford, the 11-2 chance looked at the mercy of the strong-travelling Sirpertan in the straight, but knuckled down well in the hands of British amateur rider Lorna Brooke to prevail by three lengths.

Brooke, who entered the record books at Fairyhouse as she became the first rider to win a chase exclusively for female jockeys in Ireland, told Racing UK: "He gets into a rhythm and was just jumping out of the ground and enjoying it.

"Fairyhouse was bottomless (ground) on a big, galloping course over fences over two and a half miles. Today was just under two miles on a sharp track on reasonably good ground compared to Fairyhouse and he's coped with the conditions brilliantly.

"I think he probably likes my style of riding - he thinks he's getting away with things.

"They were talking about running him at Down Royal over the Christmas period, so hopefully I'll be flying out there."

Karl Thornton's 2-1 favourite Art Lord stayed on to finish third in the Watch On 3 Devices racinguk.com Handicap Chase, with the Stafford-trained Better B Quick well beaten in the same race.

Stafford's Gibbstown plugged on to finish fourth in the 100% RacingUK Profits Return To Racing Handicap Chase, while his Dubai Devils was third in the bumper.