Davy Russell and mala Beach clear the last at Navan today. PHOTO Gerry Shanahan / www.quirke.ie

Four in-a-row for Gordon Elliott

Meath trainer Gordon Elliott made it four in-a-row when landing the €100,000 Troytown Chase at Navan today to maintain his dominance of the showpiece contest.

Elliott took the spoils with the Chris Jones-owned Mala Beach with Davy Russell on board.

There was a doubt about Russell's availability for today after a fall at Gowran yesterday where he gave up up his last three mounts.

However, Russell showed his toughness and partnered Mala Beach, which only returned to the track at Galway in October after pulling up in the 2016 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse with Russell on board, to an impressive victory.

The Jones horse stayed on well after the last to beat Ashbourne jockey Andrew Lynch and Don’t Tell No One by over two lengths.

The Noel Meade-trained Bonny Kate was a further eight lengths adrift in third with another of Elliott's five runners, Poormans Hill  in fourth.

Elliott won the Monksfield Novice Hurdle with Samcro.