gordon elliott stable tour cheltenham

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Gordon Elliott Cheltenham Festival stable tour

Gordon Elliott talked through plans for his Cheltenham team on Tuesday morning. Here are Tony McFadden's key takeaways.

Fury Road effort gives Elliott hope for Conflated

Galopin des Champs cemented his position at the head of the market for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup with what was ultimately an emphatic victory in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday. However, he perhaps had to work a bit harder to master Fury Road than many might have expected, needing to be shaken up early in the straight and only in a share of the lead at the final fence.

From that point Galopin des Champs pulled clear to score by eight lengths from his Willie Mullins-trained Stattler, who stayed on well to relegate Fury Road for third. But the fact Fury Road proved so competitive for so long offers plenty of encouragement for his trainer Gordon Elliott who has a bigger gun to fire in the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Conflated , last season's Irish Gold Cup winner who also landed the Savills Chase when last seen.

Conflated contested the Ryanair Chase at the Festival last season – and was in a battle for second before falling two out – but this time around has the Cheltenham Gold Cup on his agenda.

Elliott said: "He can run well fresh and I thought he'll be going there fresh and well. We probably put him in the wrong race last year. But the way he ran at Aintree [when runner-up in the Bowl] and the way he ran at Leopardstown the last day, I think the race will suit him.

"The fact Fury Road led over the last would give me a lot of hope that Conflated could run a good race. Obviously Galopin sets the standard and is the horse we all have to beat but I think we're in the mix."

The Cheltenham Gold Cup, run over a trip in excess of three and a quarter miles around a stiff track, is likely to pose a sterner test of stamina than anything Conflated has faced so far, but Elliott is confident it will bring out the best in the nine-year-old who he believes has become more professional with experience.

Elliott added: "He's a good horse. He's settled down a good bit in the last year. He was a bit of a headcase, he wasn't straightforward, but he's really settling now and is more professional. You can ride a race on him now, whereas before you were always trying to settle him and the race was over nearly before you could put him into it. I think it's an open Gold Cup and he's got a chance.

"I think [the test] will suit us better. If you look at his run at Aintree and the way he stayed on at Leopardstown he looks made for it."

Elliott expecting Gerri Colombe to benefit from step up in trip

Elliott enjoyed a Grade 1 novice chase double at the weekend, starting with Gerri Colombe at Sandown, who produced a tough display to justify favouritism in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase and extend his unbeaten record.

The bulk of Gerri Colombe's efforts have been on testing ground, though the going on Saturday was described as good to soft and the prospect of a sound surface at Cheltenham doesn't worry Elliott, who believes a step up in trip can help bring about an even bigger effort.

Elliott said: "I'd say over two and a half miles the softer ground would have suited, but he's not a mudlark, he's not as slow as you'd think, he's just so relaxed. I'd say over that trip, three miles-plus in the Brown Advisory, he'll be okay."

He added: "I think the further he goes the better he'll be. He's a very unassuming horse, he doesn't do anything exciting at home but he knows how to win and I loved when the horse passed him the other day in Sandown and you could just see him dropping his head [and battling]. It's a great thing to see in a horse.

"I think over the longer trip he can get into a beautiful rhythm, he's so relaxed. I think the race is made for him to be honest.

"Apart from one [fence] the other day he was foot-perfect. He's a gorgeous horse, so laidback, he's a gentleman, a lovely horse. He's a big old-fashioned chaser."

Mighty Potter gave Elliott a second Grade 1 winner at the weekend, landing the Ladbrokes Novice Chase by eight and a half lengths to strengthen his position at the head of the betting for the Turners Novices' Chase, a race Elliott confirmed is the plan.

Victory on Sunday provided Mighty Potter with a second successive Grade 1 win over fences, and a fourth overall.

He had been an impressive winner of the Drinmore at Fairyhouse on his previous start, showing his class to overcome a couple of stumbles on landing.

Elliott said: "He's got so much talent, everything is nearly too easy for him at home. I'd say he learned an awful lot from Fairyhouse that day. To make those mistakes and be back on the bridle a stride later, he looks good."

On his Leopardstown performance, Elliott said: "He's relaxing more with his racing. He jumped great. It was only when you look at the re-run you realise how good he was.

"I loved when you see after going by the line he was only getting into top gear nearly as the race was over."

Mighty Potter disappointed in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last season, pulling up, but Elliott is happy to draw a line through that performance and said: "He's a big horse now, but he was every bit as big last year and gangly. He's probably still not the finished article – another summer at grass and he's going to be a lot stronger.

“If you look at the re-run of the Supreme last year he never got into a rhythm. I think he landed on top of the third or fourth hurdle and it was race over then."

Teahupoo's attitude marks him out as ideal type for Stayers' Hurdle

Teahupoo also disappointed at Cheltenham last season, failing to beat a rival in the Champion Hurdle, but he has since established himself as a leading player for the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle over nearly a mile further.

The pick of his form, including wins in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle and an impressive success in the Galmoy, has come on testing ground, but Elliott is unconcerned about the prospect of a sounder surface or travelling to Cheltenham.

"I'd say he just got taken off his feet over two miles last year," said Elliott. "He's not a big, massive heavy horse, so I don't see why over three miles he shouldn't be okay [on decent ground].

"It's not going to be quick ground and if you listen to the likes of Barry Geraghty and Ruby Walsh over the years talking about Stayers' Hurdle horses they have to be behind the bridle and relaxed, and that's what he is, nothing fazes him.

"To me it's probably the most open division of all the championship races at Cheltenham this year."

He added: "He was good in Fairyhouse and was good in Gowran the last day. He's a fair horse but doesn't do anything exciting at home – he goes around on a big loose rein and wouldn't impress you but he seems to do it on the track."

Elliott bullish about Delta Work's claims

One horse who has been there and done it at Cheltenham is Delta Work .

The five-time Grade 1 winner got the better of a famous battle with stablemate Tiger Roll in last season's Cross Country Chase and warmed up for a repeat bid with a creditable third under top weight in a handicap over course and distance on Trials Day.

Delta Work will enjoy a huge swing at the weights at the Festival, when he takes on his rivals on level terms, and Elliott said: "I was very happy. He gave the winner 16 lb and the second 18 lb – off level weights he looks thrown in. There will be plenty of improvement in him from the last day."

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• Gordon Elliott Stable Tour: 'She'll take some stopping at Cheltenham'

Gordon Elliott Stable Tour: ‘She’ll take some stopping at Cheltenham’

It’s the most exciting time of year for Jump racing enthusiasts as the season is getting ready to kick-off. This is the time at which the stable tours start to flow and we find out who the trainers are looking forward to running. Gordon Elliott’s stable tour came out this week and there’s plenty of fascinating insight to consider. We’ve picked out three horses who Elliott is excited about and could achieve big things this season.

‘We think the world of him’

American Mike  was a top bumper horse last season and his trainer has tipped him to go all the way as a hurdler. Elliott has made no secret of his adoration for the gelding and stated: “I’m convinced he’s very good and I definitely haven’t lost any faith in him […] We think the world of him. He’s pure quality.” This strapping chestnut looks every inch a chaser but his trainer believes there’s plenty to come over the smaller obstacles first.

‘You’d have to be excited’

Fil Dor  looked like the best juvenile around for the first half of the season. The plan is to go straight over fences as his trainer believes the four-year-old allowance will come in handy. His trainer said: “He’ll be dangerous. You’d have to be excited about him going chasing given the way he used to jump hurdles. He’s a talented horse.” This particularly bullish assessment will undoubtedly make Fil Dor one to look out for over the coming season. Having showed plenty of promise last year, fences could help him fulfil his potential.

‘She’ll take some stopping’

Queens Brook had a disrupted preparation for the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. For that reason, Elliott was absolutely delighted with her second-place finish. All roads lead back to Cheltenham according to her trainer who is exuding confidence. Gordon Elliott said: “she ran some race to finish second. We’re going to aim her at that race again and, if we get a clear run into it with her, she’ll take some stopping.” It’s hard to ignore this level of confidence and she could be one to follow.

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Gordon Elliott has been one of the biggest success stories in all of National Hunt racing in the last 20 years.  

Starting from right at the bottom of the training ranks, he made relentless progress to emerge as the biggest challenger to the dominance of Willie Mullins, making him pull out all the stops in the Irish trainers’ championship in both 2016/17 and 2017/18, training a remarkable 210 winners in Ireland in the latter campaign.

While Elliott has yet to fulfil his dream to become Champion Trainer in Ireland, his performances at the Cheltenham Festival represent ample compensation. He has saddled a total of 37 winners at the meeting and was crowned the leading trainer at the meeting in both 2017 and 2018.

Elliott looks to have another formidable team for the season ahead and he talked to attheraces.com’s Kevin Blake to tell us about his leading prospects.

Absolute Notions (IRE)

• 6-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Milan (UK) - Colleen Donnoige (IRE) (Beneficial (UK))
• Trained by: G Elliott
• Last Race: Musselburgh, 04 Feb 2024 15:00
• Result: PulledUp/14, held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, headway 2 out, went wrong on landing and pulled up
• View full form

Form profile

A 142-rated hurdler, he has won two of his five starts over hurdles and finished second in Grade 1 novice company at the Dublin Racing Festival last season

Trainer says

He had a simple task over hurdles at Fairyhouse the other day and got the job done. He’ll probably have another run over hurdles and then I’d like to go novice chasing with him. The one thing I wouldn’t want to do is go chasing on bottomless ground, so we’ll pick our moment to start him off fences. He’s a stronger horse this season and I think the best is yet to come.

American Mike (IRE)

• 7-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Mahler (UK) - American Jennie (IRE) (Lord Americo (UK))
• Next Race: Punchestown, 30 Apr 2024 18:00
• Form: 74-1415

A 137-rated hurdler, he won one of his five starts over hurdles last season.

He disappointed us over hurdles in the second half of last season for sure. The plan is to go novice chasing and we’re looking to get him started over fences this weekend. We’ll play it by ear based on how he goes there, but he’s always looked a chaser and is a horse we’ve always loved, so hopefully he can get back to the top table over fences.

Ash Tree Meadow (FR)

• 8-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Bonbon Rose (FR) - Alzasca (FR) (Grape Tree Road (FR))
• Next Race: Punchestown, 30 Apr 2024 17:25
• Form: 2-21141

A 155-rated chaser, he has won five of his nine starts over fences including the Galway Plate and a Grade 2 chase at Down Royal in November.

We are likely to give him a break now as he has been busy and have achieved plenty already. We could bring him back for races like the Melling Chase at Aintree or the Grade 2 chase at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival where he will have the advantage of freshness over the horses that have been at it all through the winter.

Better Days Ahead (IRE)

• Breeding: Milan (UK) - Bonnie And Bright (IRE) (Topanoora (IRE))
• Next Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 16:15
• Form: 0-F1421

Made a winning debut in a point-to-point at Lisronagh in February 2022 prior to changing hands for £350,000. He won a bumper at Fairyhouse in December and finished mid-division in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. He fell on his hurdling debut at Down Royal in November.

We’ll go for another maiden hurdle with him in the coming weeks. It was disappointing to see him fall at Down Royal. I know it was a fair way out, but the way the race worked out I’d have been disappointed if he hadn’t won. Hopefully he won’t be long getting back on track and getting into Graded novice hurdle company.

Brighterdaysahead (FR)

• 5-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Kapgarde (FR) - Matnie (FR) (Laveron (UK))
• Next Race: Punchestown, 30 Apr 2024 15:40
• Form: 1-11121

A two-time bumper winner, she has won both her starts over hurdles including a Grade 3 mares’ novice hurdle at Down Royal in November.

She looks very good. Really, the Grade 3 at Down Royal was more like her first run over hurdles as the race at Thurles was more like a schooling session for her. I’m not 100% sure where I’m going with her next, but we are working backwards from the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with her. She’s an exciting mare and we are really looking forward to seeing more of her. She’s a proper mare, she looks the real thing.

Chemical Energy (IRE)

• 8-y-o; chestnut gelding
• Breeding: Well Chosen (UK) - Meadstown Miss (IRE) (Flemensfirth (USA))
• Next Race: Sandown, 27 Apr 2024 15:35
• Form: 1142P-6

A 147-rated chaser, he won two of his seven starts over fences and finished second in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

I have him in the Troytown Chase, but I’m looking for better ground for him, so we might end up waiting for the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting with him. He would be an obvious candidate for the Irish Grand National or even the Grand National at Aintree, but we’ll always be looking for nicer ground for him.

Conflated (IRE)

• 10-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Yeats (IRE) - Saucy Present (IRE) (Presenting (UK))
• Next Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 17:25
• Form: 53UU32

A 167-rated chaser, he has won the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival in 2022 and the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting later that year. He finished a close third in the Champion Chase at Down Royal in November.

He ran great at Down Royal. He made the running and settled better than he often does. His next port of call will be the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and getting back to a left-handed track will be a help to him. We have schooled him over banks and he’s absolutely awesome over them, so we’ve had in our minds that if he doesn’t look like being a big competitor in top staying chases that we’ll go the cross-country route with him. He ran well enough at Down Royal to buy himself another crack at the big boys at Leopardstown and we’ll re-evaluate the plan after that.

Cool Survivor (IRE)

• Breeding: Westerner (UK) - Pale Face (IRE) (High Chaparral (IRE))
• Last Race: Fairyhouse, 01 Apr 2024 17:00
• Result: PulledUp/20, rear of mid-division, pulled up quickly after 14th

A 140-rated hurdler, he won two of his six starts over hurdles including a Listed novice hurdle at Cork last season and finished a close second on his seasonal and chasing debut at Limerick in October.

He’ll go for a maiden chase in a couple of weeks. I think he’ll definitely be a better chaser than he was a hurdler, but I wouldn’t be sure if he can be a Grade 1 novice chaser.

Croke Park (IRE)

• Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Toledana (FR) (Protektor (GER))
• Form: 1/2117P

A winning point-to-pointer that changed hands for £400,000 in April 2022, he made an impressive winning hurdling debut at Clonmel in October.

There are two Grade 3 novice hurdles this weekend at Navan, one over two miles and one over two-and-a-half miles, and we haven’t decided which one to go for yet. He’s a horse that will end up over longer trips this season. He could even end up over three miles. He’s a horse I like.

Delta Work (FR)

• 11-y-o; brown gelding
• Breeding: Network (GER) - Robbe (FR) (Video Rock (FR))
• Form: 1U-3662

A 153-rated chaser, he is a five-time Grade 1 winner over fences that has won the last two renewals of the Glenfarclas Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

We’ll declared him for the cross-country race at Cheltenham this weekend. He has loads of weight, but he’s earned it and on soft ground he should have a very good chance. We’ll are working backwards from the Cheltenham Festival with him and that’s where he’ll be at his peak.

Doctor Bravo (FR)

• 7-y-o; g gelding
• Breeding: Doctor Dino (FR) - Bright Tango (FR) (Chichicastenango (FR))
• Last Race: Fairyhouse, 09 Apr 2023 15:10
• Result: PulledUp/11, chased leader, 5th halfway, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out

A 142-rated hurdler, he won a maiden hurdle at Down Royal in January prior to finishing third in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park in February.

He’s entered in a maiden chase this weekend, but I’ll probably wait another week or 10 days with him. He looks a smart horse and I hope we’ll see the best of him over fences.

Down Memory Lane (IRE)

• Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Credo Star (IRE) (Presenting (UK))
• Form: 11-13

A winning point-to-pointer, he made a winning racecourse debut in a bumper at Fairyhouse in February and made a winning hurdling debut at Down Royal in November.

He looked good at Down Royal. He jumps like a real good hurdler. I know it probably wasn’t a particularly strong race, but it was the way he won that impressed me. Derek O’Connor was very sweet on him afterwards. I’d say we might go for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle with him. He might be one that we don’t run in the depths of winter on really deep ground.

Farren Glory (IRE)

• Breeding: Fame And Glory (UK) - Toledana (FR) (Protektor (GER))
• Last Race: Leopardstown, 04 Feb 2024 13:40
• Result: 9/10, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 2 out (usual 3 out), pushed along in 6th at last (usual 2 out), weakened, tailed off

A winning point-to-pointer, he won a bumper at Navan in March and made it second-time lucky over hurdles when winning a maiden at Clonmel in November

He’s a nice horse. I know it might not have been a great race at Clonmel that he won, but he’s better than that. The start over that trip at Clonmel is a bit tricky and he just got a bit revved up. The horse that finished second had solid form and our fella was there to be shot at in front. After doing a bit too much in the first half of race, Jack was wondering how much he’d have left when challenged, but he said when he changed his hands he just jumped straight back on the bridle and won well. He probably won’t be at his very best until he goes chasing as he’s a bit hard on himself and fences might help him relax a bit better.

Favori De Champdou (FR)

• 9-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Saddler Maker (IRE) - Pamella (FR) (Subotica (FR))
• Form: 4-2154F

A 137-rated hurdler, he won three of his six starts over hurdles last season including a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Limerick’s Christmas meeting. He finished a promising second on his seasonal and chasing debut at Galway in October.

He ran well at Galway on his first start over fences and lost little in defeat. He is probably more likely to be one for the Kim Muir or maybe the National Hunt Chase.

Fil Dor (FR)

• 6-y-o; g gelding
• Breeding: Doctor Dino (FR) - La Turbale (FR) (Angel Gabriel (FR))
• Form: 06-2273

A 150-rated chaser, he finished second to Dinoblue in a Grade 3 chase at Naas on his return to action in November.

I thought he ran very well behind a high-class mare at Naas the other day. I was happy with the way he jumped, which was the most important thing. We probably rode him a bit negative on the day and he looked ready to try two-and-a-half miles again, so that’s what we’ll look to do with him.

Firefox (IRE)

• Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Cuteasafox (IRE) (Vinnie Roe (IRE))
• Form: 1-11432

The winner of his last three starts in bumpers including a winner’s contest at Down Royal on his seasonal reappearance in November.

It was good to see him win so well on his return in a bumper at Down Royal. It wasn’t the original plan to run him in another bumper, but sure it worked out grand in the end. We’ll get him started back over hurdles in a maiden over two-and-a-half miles in two weeks. He’s a good horse, I like him.

Found A Fifty (IRE)

• Breeding: Solskjaer (IRE) - Fillmein (IRE) (Gone Fishin (IRE))
• Next Race: Punchestown, 02 May 2024 17:25
• Form: 121221

A 142-rated hurdler, he made a winning chasing debut at Down Royal in November.

I was very happy with his winning chasing debut at Down Royal. Last season he was a bit of a runaway, but he settled much better at Down Royal. I loved the way he dropped his head and galloped in the last two furlongs, I thought he was impressive. The Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse is likely to be his next port of call.

Galvin (IRE)

• Breeding: Gold Well (UK) - Burren Moonshine (IRE) (Moonax (IRE))
• Form: 2U-8544

A 163-rated chaser, he won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting in 2021 and finished second in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season.

He’s declared for the cross-country race at Cheltenham this weekend. After that he’ll most likely wait for the Boyne Hurdle at Navan in March, then back for the cross-country race at Cheltenham in March, then most likely the Grand National at Aintree. He’s been the horse of a lifetime for his owner already, but I’d love him to win another big one.

Gerri Colombe (FR)

• Breeding: Saddler Maker (IRE) - Ruse de guerre (FR) (Cadoudal (FR))
• Form: 21-1221

A 162-rated chaser, he won four of his five starts over fences last season including the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown in February and the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April. He made a winning return to action in the Champion Chase at Down Royal in November.

I was happy with him at Down Royal. If he’d been beaten, I probably would have been a bit annoyed about Jack staying on Conflated’s outside when he was jumping left all the way, but that was a decision he made in the moment and thankfully he got up to win. I think there’s loads of improvement in him, and a stiffer track will suit him. He doesn’t do anything fancy, but he finds a way to win. We are training him for the Gold Cup and the thought is that he’ll have just one run before then. I think the King George at Kempton would be too sharp for him, I wouldn’t like to run him at Tramore, and I feel the Irish Gold Cup can come a little close to Cheltenham if that is the main goal. At the minute, the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting is in the mix, but we have a couple of other options too.

Halka Du Tabert (FR)

• 7-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Balko (FR) - Naska (FR) (Grand Tresor (FR))
• Last Race: Cork, 26 Nov 2023 14:20
• Result: Won/7, tracked leader, led before 2nd, asserted and clear before 2 out, kept on well, very easily

The winner of a point-to-point and a bumper, she won one of her four starts over hurdles last season and finished third in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

She’s a big, exciting mare that ran well in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last season. She might start off over fences at Cork in a couple of weeks.

Harmonya Maker (FR)

• Breeding: Saddler Maker (IRE) - Hahyasi (FR) (Kahyasi (IRE))
• Last Race: Fairyhouse, 30 Mar 2024 15:20
• Result: 7/8, soon led, slight mistake 4th, slight mistake 6 out and headed, slight mistake next, ridden and no extra after 4 out, soon weakened

A 133-rated hurdler, she made an impressive winning seasonal and chasing debut in a mares’ maiden chase at Gowran Park in November.

She was good at Gowran Park on her chasing debut. She jumped well and won well. We have a couple of options coming up for her and she should pay her way well.

He's Ultimate (IRE)

• Breeding: Champs Elysees (UK) - Hirayna (UK) (Doyoun (UK))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 29 Jan 2024 14:40
• Result: 5/6, prominent and disputed lead, led narrowly after 5 out, headed 3 out, pushed along and dropped to 4th approaching straight, soon no extra

Finished second in his only start in a point-to-point at Loughanmore in April 2022.

He’s a horse with a big engine, but he’s been frustrating to train so far. He just hasn’t stopped growing. There’s never been anything wrong with him as such, but we just could never really push on with him when we wanted to. He’s getting there now and will hopefully start off in a maiden hurdle in the next three or four weeks. He’s a real staying sort.

Imagine (FR)

• Breeding: Montmartre (FR) - Ofurie (FR) (Robin Des Champs (FR))
• Trained by: Harry Derham
• Last Race: Punchestown, 14 Jan 2024 13:05
• Result: 4/6, tracked leader, 2nd before 6th, took closer order after 11th, dropped to 3rd and under pressure after 3 out, weakened in 4th 2 out

A 136-rated hurdler, he made a winning chasing debut in a maiden at Fairyhouse in November.

I thought he was good at Fairyhouse. He’s entered in the Drinmore Novices’ Chase at Fairyhouse, and he could well go there. We have an alternative option at Punchestown for him too. He looks like he’ll be a better chaser than hurdler.

Irish Point (FR)

• Breeding: Joshua Tree (IRE) - Burkina (FR) (Fragrant Mix (IRE))
• Next Race: Punchestown, 02 May 2024 18:00
• Form: 411-112

A 147-rated hurdler, he won three of his six starts over hurdles last season including the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April. He made a winning return to action in a Grade 3 hurdle at Down Royal in November.

I was delighted with his win at Down Royal. He’s got a lot stronger over the summer, but I fear he’s going to be a tricky horse to place. We’ll stay hurdling with him and will look to try and win what we can with him. We might try him over three miles later in the season.

Landrake (GB)

• Breeding: Martaline (UK) - Gabriella Rose (UK) (Kayf Tara (UK))
• Trained by: Jamie Snowden
• Last Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 13:20
• Result: PulledUp/21, always behind, lost touch 8th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out

A 135-rated hurdler, he won two of his four starts over hurdles last season.

We’ll get him started over fences soon, potentially over two-and-a-half miles at Fairyhouse next week. We hope he’ll be a better chaser than hurdler.

Maxxum (IRE)

• Breeding: Westerner (UK) - Anshan Bay (IRE) (Anshan (IRE))
• Last Race: Fairyhouse, 01 Apr 2024 15:50
• Result: Fell/4, led, slight mistake 4th and headed, led again after 6th, pushed along and slight advantage when stumbled after 2 out and fell

A 138-rated hurdler, he made a winning chasing debut at Tipperary in May.

He had a little setback after his last run, but he should be ready to go again in a couple of weeks. He’s a still a novice over fences and we’ll see where he slots in, but we won’t fly too high with him in the immediate future.

Pied Piper (GB)

• 6-y-o; chestnut gelding
• Breeding: New Approach (IRE) - Pure Fantasy (UK) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
• Last Race: Cheltenham, 15 Mar 2024 14:10
• Result: 3/17, held up rear of mid-division, ridden and headway approaching last, stayed on well inside final 100 yards, went 3rd last strides

A 157-rated hurdler, he finished a head second in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. He most recently finished second in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

He’s a tricky horse to place, but he’ll be sent down the Champion Hurdle route. We’ll most likely start him off in the Morgiana Hurdle and work towards Cheltenham from there. He’s a horse that we’ll have one eye on the Flat with next year. He ran great in the Cesarewitch, and we think there’s a big day in him on the Flat. We are likely to prepare him for Royal Ascot again.

Rainbow Trail (FR)

• Breeding: Davidoff (GER) - Amulet (FR) (Lauro (GER))
• Last Race: Navan, 23 Mar 2024 14:17
• Result: Won/16, disputed lead early, not fluent at 1st, led from 3rd and made rest, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and pressed at last, stayed on well run-in

Placed in a point-to-point, he made a winning racecourse debut in a bumper at Clonmel in November.

We’ll get him started over hurdles now. He’s a nice big horse that likes soft ground and can hopefully progress.

Romeo Coolio (GB)

• 5-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Kayf Tara (UK) - Miss Bailly (FR) (Kapgarde (FR))
• Next Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 16:50

Made a winning debut in a point-to-point at Belclare in March prior to changing hands for £420,000.

He’s a good horse. He pulled a muscle that held him up for a few weeks, but we’re looking forward to getting him going. He’ll stick to bumpers this season. He’s a fair yoke.

Saint Felicien (FR)

• 7-y-o; brown gelding
• Breeding: Saint Des Saints (FR) - In Race (FR) (Sageburg (IRE))
• Last Race: Fairyhouse, 31 Mar 2024 16:55
• Result: Fell/7, tracked leaders, ran freely, fell 6th

A 147-rated hurdler, he is a French import that won one of his three starts over hurdles for Elliott in the 2021/22 campaign and missed all of last season.

He’s in good shape and will run in a maiden chase this weekend. He should improve from the run, but I think he’ll go well. He likes soft ground.

Sire Du Berlais (FR)

• 12-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Poliglote (UK) - Royale Athenia (FR) (Garde Royale (IRE))
• Form: 4113-75

A 159-rated hurdler, he proved to be better than ever last season, winning the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.

He’s the horse of a lifetime! He’ll run this weekend, but he probably won’t be fit until Cheltenham in March. It takes an awful lot of work and racing to get him fit. I was looking at him this morning coming off the gallop and if you didn’t know anything about him, you wouldn’t take him as a present! He’s like a little cob. He’s been the most brilliant horse though and we’ll do our best to get him back in the sort of shape he was in last season. He isn’t getting younger, but we all said that last season and he did what he did, so we’ll see.

Teahupoo (FR)

• Breeding: Masked Marvel (UK) - Droit D'aimer (FR) (Sassanian (USA))
• Form: 1134-11

A 160-rated hurdler, he has won eight of his 13 starts over hurdles including the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse and the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last season.

We’ll probably start him back in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and will be working backwards from the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He’s only a six-year-old and isn’t overly exposed in staying hurdles. The division is wide open and he’s already in the mix with the best of them, so if he could find a few pounds of improvement he’d be in great shape.

Three Card Brag (IRE)

• Breeding: Jet Away (UK) - Belon Breeze (IRE) (Strong Gale (UK))
• Form: 2156-22

A 138-rated hurdler, he has won two of his six starts over hurdles.

He’s a few weeks off running and might go for a maiden chase at the Hatton’s Grace meeting at Fairyhouse. He has schooled well, and we like him a lot.

Zanahiyr (IRE)

• 7-y-o; chestnut gelding
• Breeding: Nathaniel (IRE) - Zariyna (IRE) (Marju (IRE))
• Result: 5/7, led and disputed, slight mistakes 7th and 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed and no extra before 2 out, weakened before last

A 157-rated hurdler, he finished in the frame in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Aintree Hurdle last season.

He’s not going to be the easiest horse to place. He’ll run this weekend and we’ll pick our spots as best we can to try and win a couple with him.

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Gordon Elliott stable tour: Dilemma over Conflated target with Cheltenham Gold Cup and Ryanair targets

Elliott could run Conflated in the Gold Cup or the Ryanair Chase, with Galvin certain to run in the blue-riband event; other contenders including American Mike who has a leading chance in the Champion Bumper and Pied Piper in the Triumph Hurdle

Wednesday 2 March 2022 09:52, UK

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Gordon Elliott's wealth of talent look set to be unleashed at the Cheltenham Festival with two genuine contenders to aim at the Gold Cup, if he gets his way.

Elliott is hoping he might get his way and persuade owner Michael O'Leary to run Conflated in the Gold Cup rather than the Ryanair Chase, after O'Leary stated on Sunday he expected the surprise Irish Gold Cup winner would drop back in trip at the Cheltenham Festival.

Kevin Blake spoke to Elliott earlier this week about several of his runners at The Festival later this month.

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American Mike

Champion Bumper

We've considered him to be our Champion Bumper horse for quite some time and have sent him down a similar path as we did with Envoi Allen and Sir Gerhard in the past.

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He has shown us all the signs that those horses and even the likes of Don Cossack did early on in their careers in bumpers. We took him away to Fairyhouse this morning to work.

Jamie Codd rode him, and we were all very happy with him. He'll probably go to Leopardstown for another bit of work on Monday.

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He's spot on and we couldn't be happier with him. Facile Vega obviously sets a very high standard, but Jamie has ridden in most of the bumpers this season and has a fair idea of what's what.

We won't be lying down, and I wouldn't swap him.

Gold Cup/Ryanair Chase

Conflated is in the Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase. Michael (O'Leary) wants him to go for the Ryanair, I want to go for the Gold Cup, so we'll probably have an argument for five minutes.

He normally gets his way, but I hope I get mine this time. There's only one Gold Cup. There's probably been a bit of a kink in him in the past. When he's good, he's very good, but when he was bad, he was horrific.

I remember one day in a bumper at Thurles he cocked his jaw and ran off the track. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some little niggly issue there that was affecting him, but he seems in a really good place for the last while.

He's a lot more settled on the gallop, and he looks a lot better in physical terms. You can knock his form all you like, and I've heard plenty of lads saying this and that about it, but he beat last year's Gold Cup winner by five-and-a-half lengths going away.

Whether they like it or lump it, he was very good the last day and that puts him in the conversation.

Boodles/Triumph Hurdle

Fil Dor is entered in both the Boodles and the Triumph Hurdle. We'll have a look at the weights before we make a final decision, but at this stage I suspect he'll go for the Triumph.

Vauban was good against him the last day, but I think the new course at Cheltenham will suit Fil Dor very well.

Vauban looks to have an awful lot of pace, whereas our horse could be more of a three-miler in the long term.

Ultima/Brown Advisory

We'll see what the handicapper does, but he could go for the Ultima Handicap Chase or the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. I'll discuss it with Michael closer to the time.

Galvin hasn't done a thing wrong all season. At the start of the season, I thought he might be more of a Grand National horse, but he's improved week in, week out.

This year's Gold Cup is a race with questions next to most of the contenders. I suppose the only question next to Galvin's name is that he might lack a gear, but since his win at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting, we've been working him with a sharper type of horse and his work has been very good.

We know he stays, he loves Cheltenham, he relaxes, he jumps. If he's within firing distance of them over the second-last fence, you know he'll come home strong.

He wouldn't be one I'd compare to Don Poli, not in the slightest. Don Poli was as slow as I am!

Ballymore/Albert Bartlett

He's in the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett. I'd say we'll wait on the ground before we make a final decision. I don't think Ginto is as slow as some people are saying.

I've heard plenty saying he goes like a three-miler. As Naas, he had to make his own running which wasn't ideal. He was looking all around him and wasn't doing a stroke, but he was never going to get beat.

Slotting in behind a good gallop at Cheltenham will suit him a lot better.

Minella Crooner

Albert Bartlett

He's going to go for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. He's an unassuming horse at home, but I love the way he hits the line in his races.

I thought he hit the line really well in his last start at Leopardstown after Danny Mullins rode the lads to sleep a bit on the winner.

He made a mistake at the second-last that day too and he'll learn from it. Jack is getting to know him all the time and will benefit from that.

Triumph Hurdle

At this stage I'd say he'll run in the Triumph Hurdle. I'd say he's a faster horse than Fil Dor and will most likely always be a two miler.

He was impressive the last day and looks to go there with a big chance.

Riviere D'etel

Arkle Chase

She's going to go for the Arkle Challenge Trophy. It looks a competitive race, but she's in there with the best of them. I feel she would have won the Irish Arkle if she'd jumped the last as well as she'd jumped the rest of them.

The one thing I loved about her was the attitude she showed to put her head down and come back at the winner after making that mistake and having her ground taken from her on the run-in.

She was entitled to lay down, but she recovered really well. She's not a mare that I gallop a lot at home as she can be quite highly strung.

If you saw her the first day she ran over fences, she looked like a rasher! She looked very, very fit. But she's the more she races, the more weight she's putting on.

She looks better now than she did at the start of the season, which is the opposite of what you'd see more often.

Cross Country Chase

He's been the horse of a lifetime. Anyone that comes into this yard, especially kids, the first horse they want to see is Tiger Roll. We probably don't realise how lucky we are to have a horse like him.

We brought him over to Cheltenham last week to school him around the cross-country course and he was very good. The one thing we always worry about with Tiger Roll is the ground. He isn't the same horse on soft ground.

There's only one place I care about winning with him and that's the cross-country race at the Cheltenham Festival. I wouldn't worry about his form this season, if the ground comes up good at Cheltenham, he'll come alive.

He's getting older, it would be hard to say that he could have all his ability, but if he can turn up in 80% form compared to his best in previous years, I think he'll take all the beating.

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Your Guide To Cheltenham 2024

Gordon elliott stable tour: cheltenham festival 2023.

Jake Russell | @ JakeRuss1000

Doctor Bravo

6yo Grey Gelding

Target - Supreme or Ballymore

A horse that looks like a potential step up in trip will be coming shortly, whether they will do this for the festival or make it a focus on next year. But Doctor Brave has some decent form heading into the Festival, only having the four runs under rules, he was a winner on his sole bumper start back in December. He has since run three times over Hurdles, 2nd on his hurdling debut before going on to win his Maiden Hurdle in relatively easy fashion, before going on to run a very decent 3rd in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park. He was only beaten by just under 2 lengths that day, which could have been a lot less should the jumping late on was better. He looks like he could outrun his odds, but would need to improve in the jumping department to win a top-class race at the festival. 

6yo Bay Gelding

Target - Ultima  

A horse that has quite an interesting profile heading into this race, he was brought over to the UK for the Grade 2 Hampton Novices Chase at Warwick in January, where he was quite well beaten, before going on to win a decent Handicap pot at the Dublin Racing Festival last month, beating Glamorgan Duke by 2 lengths. A decent hurdler who looks to be even better over fences, with the current record of 2 wins in just 4 starts over the larger obstacles. He has taken a 9lb rise from his last performance, but it was clear he was ahead of the handicapper last time out, after being dropped 8lb's from his disappointing run at Warwick. He has been quite well fancied for this race, and seems to be on a upward curve, but would need to provide a career best run to win this typical wide-open affair.  

Queens Brook

8yo Bay Mare

Target - Mares Hurdle

It's no secret the mares hurdle this year could be an absolute fire cracker of a race, with some top-class mares lining up, although Queens Brook does look to potentially lack the Grade 1 ability, she does have some decent form over Hurdles. She beat Brandy Love last time out in the Grade 3 Quevega Hurdle, and although things didn't suit Brandy Love, Queens Brook wont that race on merit, putting in an excellent performance to win going away by just over 4 lengths. She jumped superbly, before responding to pressure nicely to forge clear down the home straight. She is yet to win at the top level, but she has some decent form in behind her, especially at the Cheltenham Festival . A 3rd place finish in the Champion Bumper back in 2020, only beaten by just under 6 lengths, and an excellent 2nd in the Mares Hurdle 2 lengths behind Marie's Rock. She seems to always run well here, and although this is a hotter contest than last year, Cheltenham plays to her strengths and seems to bring the best out of her. 

Chemical Energy

7yo Chesnut Gelding

Target - National Hunt Chase

Chemical Energy has only really contested at the staying sort of trips twice in his short career so far, once in a Novice Chase at Cheltenham back in October, where he won by half the track, and then in a Grade 3 Chase at Naas in January, well beaten by 31 lengths. He was eased down last time and did drop down like a stone in water, with no real excuse as to why he didn't perform to good, maybe it was the softer conditions as most of his recent runs have been on good or good to soft. There are a few stayers in the family, but he isn't exactly bred for the staying trip, so this step up to 3m6f might not suit, but should he re-produce that performance from last October at Cheltenham, he could be a force at the trip going forward providing the ground stays on the better side where ever he goes.  

Minella Crooner

7yo Bay Gelding

Target - National Hunt Chase or Kim Muir

A pretty decent hurdler who put in an excellent display to finish 2nd in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last February, the thinking has always been he might be a better staying chaser in the making. Connections pitched him straight into Grade 2 company for his chase debut, where he finished a head second behind Darrens Hope, which was a decent but unlucky not to win performance. He then followed that up with a decent winning performance at Fairyhouse in December, beating I Am Maximus by a short head, after he was headed late on, but stayed on stoutly all the way to the line. He has not won since that performance, contesting in a Grade 3 where he was well beaten before going on to slightly disappoint when beaten into 2nd by just over 3 lengths at Fairyhouse last month. The further in trip he goes will bring more out of him, but he would need a slight bit of cut in the ground to really be seen to better effect. He has been given the chase rating of 145, so let's weight and see what weights will be allocated by the UK handicapper shortly.

Absolute Notions

5yo Bay Gelding

Target - Ballymore or Albert Bartlett

A very classy winner in his only bumper last year, beating Miss Agusta by just under 7 lengths, who has since been brought into the Gordon Elliott yard. There were a few eyes on him coming into this season, and there would have been even more after his classy Hurdling win at Punchestown in November, beating Deep Cave by just under 4 lengths. He jumped nicely on debut, and ran on well when popped the question. That performance earned him the right to contest in a Grade 2 contest next time out, where he was sent off the short priced favourite, finishing 3rd by just under 5 lengths. There were a few hurdles taken out that day due to low sun, so that definitely wouldn't have suited him, as his jumping seems to be his best asset. He then lined up in the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle over 2m6f at the Dublin Racing Festival, finishing a decent length and a half behind Good Land. That was a decent run, he was no match for the winner but did run on well late to claim second sport. He will be stepped up in trip shortly, when that will be is not confirmed as yet.

Favori De Champdou

8yo Bay Gelding

Target - Ballymore or Allbert Bartlett

A horse that has come on leaps and bounds this season, improving with every run he has had. second on debut back in October at Galway, he then stepped up to the plate to win his Maiden Hurdle over 2m7f by just under 4 lengths, staying on all the way to the line. He then backed that up and confirmed the promise once again to win another Novice Hurdle over 2m7f, beating Harry Des Ongrais by just under 4 lengths, winning going away at the finish. He was then stepped up in class to contest in the Grade 2 Lyons Of Limerick Novice Hurdle at Limerick, winning it very nicely indeed catching the eye with is decent jumping, and how he travelled throughout the race. That was a pretty decent performance, and I would imagine given the trip he has been running at recently, the Albert Bartlett will be the plan for the horse. It's a wide-open contest this year, so he could easily step up in class again to land this top prize. 

Gerri Colombe

Target - Brown Advisory

Arguably one of the yard's most impressive horses running this festival week, unbeaten in seven rules starts, he was lightly raced over hurdles so connections have obviously always thought he was going to be a decent chaser. He was an impressive winner on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse , jumping really well before going on to win comfortably by just under 3 lengths, with Bronn in behind who has won since. He then took a huge step up in class, contesting in the Grade 1 Faugheen Novices Chase at Limerick, where he jumped beautifully to win by just under 5 lengths, that was quite an eye-catching performance. The yard then took a plunge to bring him over to the UK before the festival, and what an excellent decision that was, as he lined up in the Grade Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown. He didn't particularly jump with his usual fluency, but he powered home impressively to win by just under 2 lengths, which could have been more had he not drift right towards the line. He clearly has some engine, and looks quite versatile with regards to the ground conditions, he is an exciting horse to keep an eye on heading into festival week.   

Mighty Potter

Target - Turners

Another nice type for the yard heading into this year's festival, with the current record of seven wins in just nine career starts, including three wins in three starts over fences. He has looked a decent prospect over the larger obstacles this year, winning on his chase debut at Down Royal, before going on to jump up in class to Grade 1 level, where he put in an excellent jumping display to beat Gaillard Du Mesnil by just over 4 lengths. There were slight question marks on the form of the race given the horse in second is built more of a stayer, he definitely then confirmed the promise next time out at the Dublin Racing Festival, where again he jumped very nicely, travelled strongly, and kept on very well heading up the home straight towards the line, to win going away by just under 9 lengths. It's still unclear on what race he might head for, given the yard have another classy novice chaser, but I'm sure connections have the perfect plan in mind for him.

American Mike

Target - Coral Cup , Albert Bartlett , Ballymore and Martin Pipe

A horse who had quite a big reputation heading into his Novice Hurdle season, he had to chase home Facile Vega on a few occasions last season, which included the Champion Bumper at the festival last year. He won his Hurdle debut with relative ease, beating Letsbeclearaboutit by just under 7 lengths, before going on to in a Grade 3 contest over 2m4f, where he was expected to win but did disappoint and was well beaten by 8 lengths. The bubble did slightly burst at that time, as he wasn't seen again for just under 3 months, where he then lined up in a Listed Novice contest at Navan a few weeks back, where he was sent off a short priced favourite again, but was well beaten into 4th by just under 8 lengths. He tried to make all that day, which might not have suited, but the way he faded later on in the race was a slight concern, and nothing was reported after the race. That was over 2 miles however, so he probably didn't have the pace late on the race that the others have, so stepping back up in trip for the festival will hopefully bring more out of him.

Three Card Brag

Target - Coral Cup , Albert Bartlett or Martin Pipe

An interesting runner for the yard who will most likely head for a handicap contest given he is yet to win anything graded this season. He won nicely on his debut at Galway, where he won by just under 7 lengths, before going on to jump up in class to graded company, finishing 3rd in the Novice Hurdle at Navan, beaten by just under 2 lengths, which was over 2 mile, where he was staying on well suggesting a step up in trip will suit this horse. He then went and lined up in a Grade 2 contest at Naas in December, his first run at 2m4f where he was only beaten by a neck into second, and probably could have luck with better luck in running. That shown he does have promise over the longer trips, and he shown that was the case when winning a novice hurdle contest by 12 lengths at Fairyhouse in January. He does look potentially graded, but connections might test their hand in a handicap to hope he could be a graded horse in a handicap resulting in a festival win.    

Andy Dufresne

9yo Bay Gelding

Target - Grand Annual

A horse that contested in this contest last year, running a very decent race to finish second behind Global Citizen by 3 lengths, he has been slightly disappointing since then, virtually finishing last on all three of his starts this year, he has crept back down to a similar mark to what he was for this contest last year, which is in fact 3lb's lower. Gordon Elliott has reported he is having a little break after his last run at Fairyhouse in January, which was a very similar tactic they used last year (He last run in November before heading to the festival) If he can reproduce the form he shown in this race last year, he could go well once again.     

Better Days Ahead

Target - Champion Bumper

Gordon Elliott stated recently that he asked Jamie Codd what horse he would ride in the bumper at the festival this year, to which he responded without hardly thinking about its Better Days Ahead. A nice type who was a decent point to point winner before going to Gordon's, and confirmed the promise by coming 2nd on his bumper debut (Probably lacked a bit of pace for the winner that day) and then won very nicely at Fairyhouse back in December. He was quite keen that day, but did respond very well to pressure when asked of by Jamie Codd, to pull away and win by just under 4 lengths. That was an eye-catching performance, and the penny clearly dropped after his debut run just a month or two before. The Champion Bumper scene is wide open this year, so he could be the one to side with, given the confidence from Jamie Codd, a regular rider in this race. 

Target - Gold Cup

A horse who has been described as a bit of a "lunatic in his early days" by his trainer, also stated he has come on leaps and bounds on the track these past few runs. He was in the process of running a cracking race in the Ryanair last year, disputing second placed before coming down with 2 jumps to go, he then backed that performance up with a decent 2nd place finish in the Betway Bowl at Aintree last April. His seasonal debut was contested in a pretty hot Grade 1 contest at Down Royal in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase , before he went on to put in arguably a career best performance to land the Grade 1 prize, the Savills Chase at Leopardstown last December. His trainer stated the step up in trip will help this horse, especially when it comes to Cheltenham, and Gordon was very impressed with his performance last time out, and the form in behind isn't too bad either. He will come into Festival week with a nice break, which will no doubt set him in good order ready for the feature chase of the jumps racing calendar.

10yo Brown Gelding

Target - X Country

One of the shortest priced runners of the week, last year's Cross Country heroine lines up again to try and land the prize. Last year's performance was excellent, he looked second best behind Tiger Roll, but stayed on superbly up the Cheltenham Hill to win going away by just under a length, stamping his authority of the marathon trip division. He then went on to run a brilliant race to come 3rd in last year's Grand National, although well beaten he was always staying on well to the line. He heads into the Festival off the back of two runs this year, a decent 3rd place finish in the X Country at Cheltenham in January, before going on to having a prep run over an inadequate trip and over Hurdles, most likely to get him right for the feature race come festival week, the same tactics they employed with Tiger Roll for years. He still looks the one to beat, at a track that always brings the absolute best out of him. 

Target - Kim Muir

Pretty much already confirmed to go for the Kim Muir come festival week by his trainer, he arrives into the race off the back of a very taking display in the 25 runner Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park in January, only to be beaten by Carefully Selected by a short head, keeping on well to the line. That was a much better run then the previous effort before that, which would have out him right for festival week. The one slight concern is he does seem to hold his best form for Gowran Park, as his last couple of decent runs have been there. But he is a thorough stayer who, providing all goes well on the way around will be staying on up the Cheltenham Hill.   

5yo Grey Gelding

Target - Coral Cup , Turners , Plate or County Hurdle

Judging by his entries for Festival week, it is clear connections are unsure on whether to go hurdling or chasing with him. He was a winner on his chasing debut at Navan back in November, before going on to disappoint in a Grade 1 Chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas period. He did make a bad mistake at the 3rd last on that occasion, which Jack Kennedy stated dented his confidence, and that shown next time out when he was well beaten in the Irish Arkle, only managing to finish 5th on that occasion. He bounced back to form however, when going back to the smaller obstacles and winning the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park, beating Sharjah by half a length. He seems to have more confidence over the smaller obstacles, so a handicap over hurdles might be where they aim, Gordon Elliott has stated it all depends on what the handicapper does with him. The decision will be based of that.

Target - Ryanair

Gordon Elliott was very impressed with his run last time out in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival, saying he thought his mount had the favourite under pressure at the final fence before he pulled away in the closing stages. Although he is more of a stayer judging by his previous form, he could use those traits to best effect in the Ryanair should there be better ground, with the ante-post market leader Allaho now out the race, and Gordon Elliott has stated the step down in trip will not be a hindrance given the testing nature of Cheltenham. He always runs a consistent race, no matter what trip he is running at, so with the race enow wide open, it could be a bit of good plotting by connections.      

A horse that has been firmly targeted at the Cross Country this Festival, Gordon Elliott has stated he has had a few away days over the cross-country fences to familiarise him with them, and they intend on sending him across to Cheltenham at the earliest opportunity, to get some more schooling over the fences, ready for this contest. He was once thought of as a gold cup horse, and he ran in the race last season, finishing a pretty decent fourth, but with Conflated being the yards main Gold Cup hope, they have said they want the best chance of winning as many races as possible, hence why he isn't going to contest in the Gold Cup either. The yard has said he has taken very well to the cross-country fences, and he should not be underestimated for the race come festival week.  

Halka Du Tabert

6yo Bay Mare

Target - Mares Novices' Hurdle

A former point to point winner, who won her bumper debut back in November, they wasted no time in getting her over Hurdles, as she then had her debut at Naas in December. She was a very impressive winner on that day, beating 24 other rivals with absolute ease, by 11 lengths, with the second-place horse coming out and winning since. She then took the step up in class when contesting in a Grade 3 Novices Hurdle, finishing 2 and a half lengths behind Ashroe Diamond at Fairyhouse. Judging by her debut performance she has some talent, but would need to have improved pretty quick from her last run to land a real blow come festival week. 

Target - Pertemps Final

A horse that was mightily impressive in his Pertemps qualifier at Leopardstown on his penultimate run, he didn't get the rub of the green next time out when going back there over Dublin Racing Festival weekend. They went far to steady and he got caught in a pocket, and couldn't quicken up enough to get back to them, but his run to qualify for this race the time before was a career best, shooting him up 18lbs to a career high mark if 138. He looks tailor made for this race, should he reproduce the level of form shown when qualifying for this race back in December. 

5yo Chesnut Gelding

Target - Champion Hurdle or County Hurdle

Another one of the yards horses that might go down the handicap route depending on what the handicapper does with them, he has an entry in both the Champion Hurdle and County Hurdle. His career record over Hurdles sits at a respectable 4 wins in just 8 career starts, with multiple Grade 2 wins to his name, including at Cheltenham in January of last year. He ran in the Triumph Hurdle last season, where he finished well to come 3rd behind Vauban and Fil Dor, only getting beat by just under 3 lengths. He won on his seasonal debut at Cheltenham before going on to land the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at Down Royal, but hasn't exactly looked at his best of late, coming last in the Mathesons Hurdle at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, and then was beaten by 7 lengths in the Irish Champion Hurdle. He does look to lack the quality to be a Champion Hurdle runner, but could quite easily become a Graded horse in a handicap depending on what the handicapper does with him for the festival. Keep an eye on where he goes.

Riviere D'etel

Target - Mares Chase

A horse that has missed quite a bit of the season due to a back issue, which has since been operated on to sort, she might lack the fitness edge compared to some of her rivals having not run since November, but she has been out and jumped a few fences at Fairyhouse in potential preparation for the Mares Chase come Festival week. There are slight question marks on whether she will make it in time, but connections are hopeful and Gordon Elliott has said she can't be underestimated should she line up. Her record over fences sits at 3 wins in 9 career starts, Including a Grade 2 last season.      

Target - Stayers Hurdle

A horse that has really come on leaps and bounds since going over staying trips, he won the Hatton's Grace on his seasonal reappearance, staying on well to win in the final strides. He then stepped up to 3 miles for the very first time in the Galmoy Hurdle, a race that he won with absolute ease by 15 lengths, keeping on strongly when Davy Russell asked him to wake up, he won that contest quite impressively indeed. He has a very good record of 8 wins in just 11 hurdle starts, two of the defats came in the Champion Hurdle and Paddy Power Champion Hurdle last year, where it has been said since the 2 miles is far too short for him now. Gordon Elliott has stated he has been very impressed with this horse's transition to staying trips, and he really feels Teahupoo is his best chance of a winner for the festival week.  

The Bosses Oscar

Target - Pertemps

This horse was very well fancied for the race back in 2021, sent off the favourite he finished 5 lengths behind Mrs Milner that day. His form hasn't exactly been seen to best effect since then, and it's been reported he has had severe sinuses problems which have now hopefully been rectified, before going into festival week. His qualifier was a decent effort however, only getting beaten by just over 2 lengths, he didn't particularly jump well but kept on well to the line, which will set him in good stead ready for another tilt at a race he ran very well in previously.   

6yo Chesnut Gelding

Target - Champion Hurdle

Another horse with a few problems this year, they have now hopefully been rectified and although he finished last in the Irish Champion Hurdle, he was only beaten by just over 8 lengths, when given who was contesting in the race, is a decent run. He did slightly loose his form before that run though, and hasn't won since Down Royal in October of 2021. He would have to bounce back to his early hurdling days to land a blow in the red-hot champion hurdle this year.  

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Gordon Elliott expects stable jockey Jack Kennedy to side with Teahupoo over stablemate Irish Point should the pair clash in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

The former was beaten just three-quarters of a length into third place in the Grade One feature 12 months ago, with his widely unconsidered stable companion Sire Du Berlais springing a surprise. Teahupoo has run just once so far this term, getting the better of Impaire Et Passe when winning his second Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December.

Elliott has elected to keep his powder dry for the seven-year-old’s return to the Cotswolds since and is optimistic about his chances.

“He’s in good form, we’re very happy with him. We’ve come straight from the Hatton’s Grace and I’d be shocked if Jack doesn’t ride him to be honest,” he said at a press morning at his County Meath yard.

“He’s a proven stayer and we’ve minded him for the race. I’d imagine we’ll go here and then we’ll maybe go to France with him. He handled the ground in Cheltenham last year and I don’t think it’s going to be any quicker.”

There is little to choose between Teahupoo and Irish Point at the top of the Stayers’ Hurdle betting, with the latter having advertised his claims with a dominant display on his first start over three miles in Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle.

Irish Point also has the option of dropping right back to two miles in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, but conditions would need to be testing for that scenario to unfold.

Elliott added: “If the ground came up very soft, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that I’ll run him in the Champion Hurdle. At the moment I suppose the Stayers’ is where he’s going, but we’ll leave it until the last minute.

“I think the better the ground, the better the chance Irish Point will have (in the Stayers’ Hurdle). I don’t think the trip will be a problem. Whatever Jack doesn’t ride, Jordan (Gainford) or Sam (Ewing) will ride the other.”

The Cullentra handler could saddle four runners in the Stayers’ Hurdle, with Sire Du Berlais and Beacon Edge also in the mix.

The defending champion was well beaten on his first start in 10 months in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan recently, but given he is also a dual winner of the Pertemps Final at the Festival, Elliott feels it would be dangerous to leave him out of calculations.

“Sire Du Berlais worked very well on Saturday, he likes it when the sun comes out and seems to like Cheltenham,” he said. “We only have to ride him out and swim him twice a day. He’s been the horse a lifetime, to be honest.”

Elliott’s biggest hope in the novice division this season is Brighterdaysahead , who will put her unbeaten record on the line in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned five-year-old has added to her bumper triumphs with a hat-trick of wins over obstacles and the trainer clearly holds her in the highest esteem.

He said: “She does her own talking, we think she’s very good. Shane McCann rides her every day, he’s as good a judge as we have and he says she could be as good as we’ve had here. I’m not worried about the trip, she’s going the right way, she knows how to win and she’s got a good attitude. She’s not flashy, but we like what she does and she pleases the whole time. She’s got a great chance.”

Having beaten star novice Ballyburn on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse, Firefox disappointed when stepped up to Grade One level at Naas earlier in the new year, but Elliott is optimistic he can show his true colours in the curtain-raising Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park.

He added: “He wasn’t right after Naas and we worked him there a couple of weeks ago and he got a bit tired. I hadn’t worked him in five weeks, but he worked very well the other day in Fairyhouse. He has a couple more bits of work to do, but he’s a very good horse and he’s not without a chance in the Supreme Novice – we’ve gone close with lesser horses.”

My Trump Card , a horse with a “massive engine” according to Elliott, looks set to carry the stable’s hopes in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, while the trainer’s runners in the Festival’s handicap hurdles are always worth consideration.

Better Days Ahead , Hollow Games and Jigoro are among those nominated as likely players in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle, Cleatus Poolaw looks a serious contender for Pertemps Final and Ndaawi and the unbeaten Wodhooh give Elliott a strong hand in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

It is a similar story in the County Hurdle, with high-class novice King Of Kingsfield and last year’s narrowly beaten runner-up Pied Piper both expected to go well.

Of the latter, put forward by assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill as her nap of the meeting, Elliott said: “He will go for the County Hurdle. He was unlucky in the race last year and probably could have nearly won it with a clear run. He’s in good form, I would imagine we’ll take 5lb off with Danny Gilligan riding him.”

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