'It's hard to know how good he is' - seven for Elliott as Chosen Mate scores

Gordon Elliott capped off a fine week at the Cheltenham Festival as Chosen Mate took his tally to seven with a comfortable win in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, continuing a dominant day for Irish trainers.

The seven-year-old travelled with plenty of enthusiasm under a confident Davy Russell in what looked a slower-run race compared to the typically strong pace set in previous years.

But in Friday's race it was obvious as they swung for home that the market was right to make Chosen Mate the 7-2 favourite, with Russell easing into the lead and poised for his third win of the meeting.

As he asked him for his challenge the Northern Four Racing Partnership's Chosen Mate picked up strongly to record a one-and-three-quarter length victory over stablemate Eclair De Beaufeu. Us And Them, running for Joseph O'Brien, finished third.

Russell said: "He's a very, very good jumper but we thought inexperience would catch him out today. He surprised us when he won at Gowran and every day since he's got better and better.

"We went a good, solid gallop and I was happy to follow away at a few and not take him off the bridle too early. It's hard to know how good he is, he's still a novice so we just don't know."

He added: "Since I've been able to walk and talk my dad made this out to be a magical place this is, I've been lucky to witness that magic. It's been great."

Chosen Mate's win was a first in the Grand Annual for Elliott, who collected the prize from Nicky Henderson, with the race run in honour of his father Johnny.

Elliott said: "It's very nice to get this trophy. Nicky Henderson is one of the people you look up to, and I've got an awful lot of respect for him.

Gordon Elliott: will be a happy man that the jumps racing is back at NavanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We've had a brilliant week. It's unbelievable. I'm very lucky to have Davy Russell and Jack Kennedy riding for me, but Jack's missed out on a few this week. We've had a great week for a lot of different owners.

On Chosen Mate, he added: "I said the day before that the most important thing with this race was the first four fences. If we could get him over the first four fences in a rhythm, he could win. Thankfully, he won."

Read more from the final day at Cheltenham

Cheltenham reaction: Townend savours second Gold Cup win on Al Boum Photo

Moore 'distraught' as Goshen unseats rider with Triumph at his mercy

'He was having a look' - inexperienced Monkfish shows class in Albert Bartlett

Keep up to date on the must-have news, tips, photos and more by following the Racing Post across all social channels