‘Doctor’ to deliver while Elliott is upbeat for Samcro’s Morgiana bid
GORDON ELLIOTT has a unique ability to improve horses that come to his yard mid-career and Doctor Phoenix can continue his fairytale journey in today’s Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase (3.0).
Purchased from England for just €11,500 last year, the son of Dr Massini made rapid progress when switched to Elliott’s Meath yard, winning three times – including a valuable handicap chase and a Grade Three at Naas.
The Nick Bradley Racing Club had a dream season with the 10-year-old and his losing form is even more impressive with a close second to classy chaser Great Field.
That was followed by a fall when upsides two out at Fairyhouse beside dual Cheltenham Festival winner Un De Sceaux, before his season finished with a fifth behind the same rival in the Punchestown Champion Chase.
That run can be forgiven and Keith Donoghue’s mount is the value choice at the Tipperary track against Willie Mullins’s Kemboy, which has undoubted class but is inexperienced at this level.
The progressive Kemboy – ridden by Paul Townend – is highest-rated of the five contenders and receives weight from three elder rivals but has something to prove against seasoned chasers.
Disappointing
Last year’s winner Alpha Des Obeaux has struggled over the past 12 months for Elliott while his third runner A Toi Phil needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Gowran Park last month.
Colin Kidd’s Rashaan may be the outsider of the quintet but isn’t without his chance after taking to fences like a duck to water, although Doctor Phoenix is the preferred selection at the prices.
Last year’s JLT winner Shattered Love is expected to improve significantly for a solid effort behind Snow Falcon at Down Royal 12 days ago to take the Listed T A Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase (3.35).
Elliott’s mare is 10lbs superior to her nearest rivals – including Denis Hogan’s Youcantcallherthat and Cullentra stablemate Dinaria Des Obeaux – and should get back to winning ways.
Elliott also issued a positive bulletin on Samcro ahead of the six-year-old’s bid to wrestle the Morgiana Hurdle away from Mullins on Sunday, who is bidding for his eighth successive victory in the Punchestown Grade One.
“He’s come out of the race very well and he’s working well. We’ll need a bit of rain, if the ground was too quick we wouldn’t chance it with him but he’s in very good form and we’ll be there for another day,” Elliott said.