GordonElliott

13:30, Jcb Triumph Hurdle
His Excellency
I run two in the Triumph Hurdle and there isn't a lot between them on official ratings. His Excellency, owned by Gigginstown, is the mount of Davy Russell and I've always said that he has plenty of ability but can be tricky. I think the way this race will be run could really suit the horse. They always go a furious pace and if Davy can drop him out and get him settled in the early stages, I could see him travelling strongly into the race. He's a grade two winner at home and if he puts it all in, I wouldn't be surprised to see him run a big race.

Shadow Catcher
He's another really promising young horse and I thought he was a little unlucky not to win the grade one Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last time. He pulled a little hard early and probably hit the front too soon. Like His Excellency, he should really appreciate a fast-run race here, though he'll be ridden closer to the pace than our other horse.
I've always held him in very high regard and his form ties in with the best of the Irish juveniles. The ground shouldn't be a problem and, if he gets a bit of luck in-running, I expect him to go close.

14:05, Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle
Dirar
Again, I have two in the County Hurdle and I find it hard to separate them. They're both probably quite exposed over hurdles at this stage but, after a trip to America that didn't work out as planned, Dirar seems to be back in good form. He had no luck in-running when eighth, not beaten far, in this race last year and he's only a couple of pounds higher this time.
He's been a great servant to us, winning an Ebor on the Flat, and if he enjoys better luck this time, he could go close in the hands of Davy Condon.

Plan A
He's our second horse in the County Hurdle and he, too, has showed that he can handle the track. He's been here a few times and ran really well when fourth in the Fred Winter at last year's Festival. He's won on all sorts of ground, so that isn't an issue, but this is a really competitive race - as it is every year - and a lot depends on how much luck he gets in-running. Paul (Carberry) will probably ride him in mid-division and he has each-way claims.

14:40, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Mount Benbulben
He's a horse I've always held in the highest regard and he comes here with a real chance. He was beaten by Boston Bob last time but he pulled muscles in that race and we know it wasn't his true running. I'm not saying he would have beaten the winner that day but he jumped out to his right, something he hadn't done before, and we knew there had to be a reason for it. Prior to that he had won a grade two at Navan on just his third run over hurdles. He's back in great nick now and though he's unproven on really fast going, the ground has been well maintained and there shouldn't be a problem. Willie Mullins' horse is probably the one to beat but, fingers crossed, our horse will go really well.

16:40, Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
Toner D'Oudairies
He ran a good race in the Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown last time but just didn't seem to see out the three-mile trip. The step back to two and a half today should be right up his street and Keith Donoghue, who rides him, is a good claimer. He's done all his winning for us on soft ground and so today's ground is a bit of an unknown, but he's a nice young horse and I think he'll be okay on it. He's open to improvement and if things go right for him in the race, he could go well.

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