Owners act quickly after Elliott dead horse photo

CHEVELEY Park Stud have removed all eight horses they have in training with Gordon Elliott, while the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has announced it will convene on Friday to hear the case related to the image of the Grand National-winning trainer sitting on a dead horse.

One of the most successful breeding and ownership operations in the sport, Cheveley Park’s most notable winner is the brilliant Envoi Allen, arguably the most exciting horse in Elliott’s yard following back-to-back Cheltenham Festival wins in the Champion Bumper and the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle in his unbeaten career to date.

However, with Elliott not permitted to have runners in Britain until the conclusion of the IHRB investigation, Envoi Allen and several of his stable companions will be moved to Henry de Bromhead and Willie Mullins combined.

Confirming plans for the team’s four Cheltenham Festival contenders, Cheveley Park director Richard Thompson said Marsh Novices’ Chase favourite Envoi Allen will join De Bromhead, along with Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contender Ballyadam and possible Triumph Hurdle hope Quilixios.

Meanwhile, Tiger Roll will not bid for a third victory in the Randox Grand National at Aintree next month, say owners Gigginstown House Stud.

The Elliott-trained 11-year-old became the first horse since Red Rum in the 1970s to win back-toback renewals of the world’s most famous steeplechase when striking gold in 2018 and 2019. Tiger Roll was given a mark of 166 when the weights were officially unveiled last month and ahead of the latest scratchings stage, Gigginstown confirmed he will not be running at Aintree due to what they feel is a “patently unfair” rating.