ELLIOTT’S OUT TO STAY TOP
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GORDON ELLIOTT intends holding on to his trainers’ crown at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
“I will send over 30 to 40 runners,” said Elliott, who finished top for the first time last year. “Of course, I hope to have some winners, but the best bet has to be Ireland at 4-6 to come out on top, like last year!”
Elliott’s likliest winners are Samcro for the Ballymore Hurdle and Apple’s Jade for the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle.
Both are hot favourites for their races and can help him prevent Willie Mullins from regaining the trainers’ title.
“Samcro is a nice horse and has done everything right,” said Elliott, who had six winners at last year’s Festival. “He’s become the people’s horse. He still has to improve and it’s the first time he has travelled over to England.
“That can often be a big ask. We went over with Death Duty last year, thinking he could win, but he never travelled. But I don’t think it ® will be a problem with him. He has a good temperament on him.”
Apple’s Jade, unbeaten in her three races this season, would have a cracking chance in the Champion Hurdle but connections have opted for the OBLG Mares’ Hurdle.
“She’s in great form,” said Elliott. “She’s mad for a run. Some have said she should go for the Stayers’ or maybe the Champion Hurdle but I think the Mares’ Hurdle is the right race for her.
Believer
“I’m a big believer in going for the race which you think you can win and that has to be her best chance of winning at the Festival.
“Listen, we think Samcro is a great horse, but he has not been there and has not shown that he can do it. But Apple’s Jade has been there (won the Mares’ Hurdle last year) and done it.”
Elliott, successful in the 2007 Grand National with Silver Birch, is hoping Cause Of Causes can give him another victory at Aintree. “He was a good winner of the Cross Country Chase last year before finishing second in the National,” said Elliott. “He goes for the Cross Country again and then it will be back to Aintree.
“I think he has a decent weight in the National. We’re very hopeful.”
Elliott was delighted that Champagne Classic won last year’s Martin Pipe Hurdle as he had worked for the legendary trainer.
“I’ve 19 in this year’s race, and, of course I want to win it again,” he said. “It’s too early say which is my best one until the weights come out, but at the moment, I like Flawless Escape.”
He also put in a good word about his Triumph Hurdle hope Farclas. He is an 8-1 shot, one point behind Mr Adjudicator who beat him a length in the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Betway JCB Triumph odds: 11-4 Apple’s Shakira, 5 Redicean, 6 We Have A Dream, 13-2 Stormy Ireland, 7 Mr Adjudicator, 8 Farclas.