GORDON’S ON CHARM OFFENSIVE
Elliott’s got two big chances at Navan meet this afternoon
Elliott has yet to unleash his stable stars this autumn but he does send Cheltenham Festival winner Veneer Of Charm into battle in the conditions hurdle.
The surprise Fred Winter winner is stepping up in trip to two and three quarter miles which is an unknown.
However, this gelding did stay quite well on the flat and he looks like one that should have a future over staying distances as a hurdler.
The four-year-old recently made his return to action when finishing eighth in the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel.
He actually ran better than his final position suggests as he was beaten less than eight lengths.
He is chosen in the belief that this longer trip will suit him well.
Elliott can also land the opener with the useful flat handicapper Batts Rock (inset) who has won two of his three starts since joining the trainer.
This five-year-old notched up wins at Bellewstown and the Curragh in the summer before finishing in midfield behind Limini at Leopardstown last weekend. He appeals as one that should do well over hurdles and can see off the Ballinrobe bumper winner Pike Country. In the first of the handicap hurdles Try Again makes plenty of appeal following some good runs on the flat. He won a Roscommon handicap last month and showed up well to take third behind Gentil J at Galway on Tuesday. On his last two outings over hurdles he has reached the frame in races won by The Last Indian and Count Simon. That level of form puts him in with a chance.
In the handicap chase the reliable Lasoscar makes most appeal as he looks to build on a second in a Killarney handicap hurdle last month.
Previously Liam Cusack’s charge won a Kilbeggan handicap chase and a seven pounds rise in the weights for that victory doesn’t look excessive.
An interesting beginners chase might fall to Trainwreck who was quite a useful novice hurdler last term.
He struggled at Grade 1 level on his last outing but did record a smooth win in a smart handicap hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas.