ELLIOTT’S STAR TO WIN BATTLE
Chasing can bring out the best in Doyen
Gordon Elliott’s charge didn’t run any sort of race at the Cheltenham Festival when he was last seen in action.
However, things reportedly went against him in the days leading up to that race and he is taken to put that experience behind him now that he tries his hand at chasing.
This strapping gelding looks every inch a chaser and the hope is that he could make it to the top over the larger obstacles.
The six-year-old could have plenty to fear from his stablemate Galvin who is also starting out over fences.
This five-year-old showed up well to be sixth to City Island at Cheltenham last March and is another with prospects of doing well over fences.
There are some interesting contests throughout the day at Galway and these include the handicap chase where Portmore Lough is taken to strike again.
This eight-year-old has been restricted to just six outings over the course of his career but he still retains plenty of ability as he showed when landing a handicap here 19 days ago.
He is seven pounds higher in the weights as a result of that but that isn’t a concern and he should also cope with the longer trip.
Willie Mullins has a couple of good chances on the card and his Foveros can land the rated novice hurdle.
The four-year-old showed a good attitude to win a novice hurdle over this course and distance almost three months ago and that display earns him the vote.
Mullins might also land the opening mares maiden hurdle with Kalanisi Og whose first start for almost a year at Gowran earlier this month was quite respectable.
At Wexford the Grade 1-placed Surin has been found a good opportunity to record her second success over hurdles.
She was a very smart juvenile hurdler last term but was perhaps a bit disappointing on her comeback.
The step up in trip is likely to help her jumping and she is chosen in the hope that she can get back to last year’s form.
In the second of the maiden hurdles it is hard to look past the chances of the Henry de Bromhead-trained Dancing On My Own.
Dewcup looks a likely winner of the opening maiden hurdle while Ego Des Mottes is one of the few horses with potential to progress in the beginners chase.