El’s six of the best for Moore

GORDON ELLIOTT can choose from six entries in his bid for a third successive win Betvictor Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Ball D’arc (2016) and Doctor Phoenix (last year) have delivered for Elliott in this traditional showpiece.

And the Cullentra trainer’s challenge on Saturday is likely to include progressive Cubomania, already a four-time winner over fences, novice Duca De Thaix and five-year-old Mitchouka.

Willie Mullins also holds a strong hand, with classy novice Cadmium, last seen when fourth to Delta Work and Le Richebourg in the Grade 1 Drinmore at this track, and Blazer, which could prove a force, dropped back in trip.

The Pat Fahy-trained Castlegrace Paddy, already confirmed a contender for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival, is set to carry top-weight in Saturday’s race, coming on the back of a creditable fourth behind Simply Ned and Footpad in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

Elliott is also responsible for eight of the nine Gigginstown-owned entries for the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice

Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.

And he indicated yesterday that Commander Of Fleet, a late withdrawal from Sunday’s Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle, is an intended runner, although he will prove more effective when he steps up to two and a half miles.

Commander finished fourth to Quick Grabim in the Royal Bond last time, when tried in Grade 1 company, over an inadequate trip of two miles, the distance of Sunday’s race.

Tracey Collinstrained Captain Joy will bid to repeat last year’s win in the Run For Your Money With Betvictor at Dundalk on Friday night.

The one-mile contest, which has attracted just ten entries, is a fast-track Qualifier for Lingfield Park on Good Friday.