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Where It All Began claimed a valuable first chasing victory in the QuinnBet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.
The eight-year-old appeared to benefit from the increased stamina test, jumping strongly throughout the three miles three furlong contest. Sat prominently under jockey Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott's charge hit the front before the final fence and powered to the line to beat We'llhavewan by an easy sixteen lengths.
"He jumped great and never missed a beat the whole way," Kennedy said.
"It probably looked turning in that I was going to finish third but stamina really kicked in when we straightened up. I'm delighted with him.
"He's not reliant on heavy ground, just a test of stamina is what he wants.
"He'd been running well and threatened to do something like that."
Whilst Paddy Power cut Where It All Began from 200/1 to 50/1 for the Grand National in April, Elliott did suggest the gelding could go elsewhere: "He could go for the Kim Muir at Cheltenham or an Irish National. It was a good performance and he stays really well."