Feature Gordon Elliott Stable Tour PREMIUM 'He's definitely one of our best chances' - Gordon Elliott on his Cheltenham team
author image David Jennings Deputy Ireland editor
Gordon Elliott might not have as much firepower as his fiercest rival Willie Mullins at the Cheltenham Festival, but the trainer thinks his squad is a lot stronger than people think.
Elliott has twice been leading trainer at Cheltenham, in 2017 with six winners and in 2018 with eight. He might struggle to scale those heights this year but he could have more than 60 runners, and among those is some real quality.
Mighty Potter is unbeaten over fences and a warm order for the Turners Novices' Chase, a race Elliott won in 2018 with Shattered Love and in 2020 with Samcro.
Gerri Colombe is not just unbeaten over fences but unbeaten in his whole career and is Brown Advisory-bound after staying on strongly up the Sandown hill to land the Scilly Isles. This time next year both could be taking each other on in a Gold Cup.
Elliott said of his festival challenge: "I think we have a decent team going over – we could have over 60 runners, and we've got some nice chances among them.
"The novice chasers are nice. Gerri Colombe and Mighty Potter have done nothing wrong so far this season and both look to have leading chances in their races."
Absolute Notions Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, 10-1 He needs another run to qualify for a handicap and I'm not sure we have the time to get another into him. We'll see, maybe something will pop up. The Albert Bartlett would look the most likely option at this stage. I like him.
American Mike Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle / Albert Bartlett, 25-1 He had a really good blow after his run at Navan the other day and he badly needed that run. I had been minding him so I'm taking the positives out of it and feel there will be a lot more to come from him.
Andy Dufresne Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase, 16-1 Finished second in the Grand Annual last year and we'll probably head back for another go at it. He hasn't set the world alight this season though, so he needs to bounce back.
Ash Tree Meadow The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate, 16-1 Had a very good summer and finished fourth in the Galway Plate to Hewick. We've kept him fresh for the spring and we're looking at the Plate for him.
Au Fleuron Coral Cup / Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle I don't think we've seen the best of him yet. He'll go for one of the handicaps.
Better Days Ahead Weatherbys Champion Bumper, 14-1 Jamie Codd loves him. I know he was beaten the first day for us but there were excuses for that and he couldn't have done much more last time at Fairyhouse. The Champion Bumper has been the plan ever since and he's working well.
Calico Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle She's yet to win but has some decent placed form and hopefully she'll get into the Boodles.
Call My Lyreen The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate / McCoy Contractors County Hurdle He has the option of the County Hurdle or the Plate. He's rated a few pounds higher over hurdles but he'll like spring ground wherever he goes.
Chemical Energy Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Chase, 7-1 He hadn't been seen since October so he would have badly needed the run at Naas and he's come on a ton from that. I wouldn't discount him at all in the National Hunt Chase. It's been his aim all season.
Cool Survivor Albert Bartlett, 20-1 I was pleased with the way he ran in the Grade 1 at Leopardstown and he now has the option of the Martin Pipe or the Albert Bartlett. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go well in either. He’s coming along nicely.
Conflated Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, 12-1 He deserves to take his chance in the Gold Cup after what he did at Leopardstown over Christmas. That was as good as he's ever been. His jumping was good and he travelled beautifully through the race. He's a very, very good horse on his day and I can see him running a big race. I wouldn't underestimate him.
Conflated: Conflated: don't underestimate him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images) Delta Work Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, 11-10 You'd like to think he's one of our best chances of the week. He won the race last year and hasn't done a whole lot wrong in banks races this season. Hopefully his run in the Boyne Hurdle will leave him spot on and I've been very happy with him. He's a class act in this discipline.
Doctor Bravo Ballymore, 33-1 Wasn't beaten far by two very good and more experienced horses in the Red Mills Hurdle on Saturday. We'll see how he comes out of the race before making a plan for him. He's nice.
Dunboyne Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup, 20-1 All roads lead to the Kim Muir for him after he was touched off in the Thyestes. He looks made for that race.
Escaria Ten The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate He's not been getting home over longer trips so we're going to try something different and bring him back to two miles five for the Plate. That's a race which could really suit him. He's got a touch of class.
Fakiera National Hunt Chase, 33-1 / Kim Muir The National Hunt Chase is a possibility for him, or else the Kim Muir. We'll decide nearer the time. He was disappointing in the Thyestes but is better judged on his run in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse.
Favori De Champdou Albert Bartlett, 10-1 He'll either run in the Albert Bartlett or the Martin Pipe and no definite decision has been made yet. He's kept progressing all season. I know his last few wins have been on really soft ground but I'd be hoping he'll handle better ground.
Felix Desjy Martin Pipe We all know the ability is there and it was great to see him return to something like his best at Navan. He could have a crack at the Martin Pipe now.
Fils D'Oudairies Grand Annual, 25-1 He didn't jump well enough at Leopardstown and I expected a better run than that. We'll get him ready for a crack at the Grand Annual now.
Firm Footings Martin Pipe, 16-1 Had some solid form in maiden hurdles before getting off the mark at Navan. He deserved that and he goes for he Martin Pipe.
Fury Road Ryanair Chase, 11-2 He is a seriously good horse on his day and hopefully he'll be on a going day in the Ryanair. He would have been second in the Irish Gold Cup but for making a mess of the last and he looks to have a big chance in the Ryanair now that Allaho is out. It looks the perfect race for him.
Galvin Cross Country Chase, 4-1 He schooled brilliantly over the banks the other day and he seems to love it. He's got a touch of class.
Gerri Colombe Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, 5-2 He's done nothing wrong and we always knew he'd make a smashing chaser. He jumps great and you'd have to love the way he won at Sandown. I'm not sure the ground is as important to him as people seem to think, especially over three miles. He'll be fine on better ground over that longer trip.
Gerri Colombe: a rare Scilly Isles winner for Ireland Gerri Colombe: "he's done nothing wrong" Credit: Mark Cranham Glan County Hurdle, 33-1 She has plenty of pace and the County Hurdle is on her agenda.
Grand Roi Coral Cup Didn't take to fences the way we were hoping so could run in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham, maybe the Coral Cup although nothing is set in stone.
Halka Du Tabert Mares' Novices' Hurdle, 12-1 A lovely filly who impressed me with the way she won at Naas. She wasn't beaten far by Ashroe Diamond last time and I think the New course will suit her.
Hollow Games Sporting Life Arkle Chase, 66-1 He has more pace than people think – he's even surprised me as I thought he wanted a trip initially. He's had his wind tidied up since you saw him at Christmas and he's working well. He goes straight to the Arkle and could run well in it.
Imagine Martin Pipe, 16-1 He's in the Supreme, the Ballymore and the Albert Bartlett but we'll see what weight he gets in the Martin Pipe. We might go there instead.
Irish Point Ballymore, 20-1 He's in the Ballymore but I have a feeling he'll wait for Aintree or Fairyhouse and then head on to Punchestown.
Jazzy Matty Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 20-1 He was a bit disappointing behind Sir Allen at Naas but some of his form stacks up well and he'll go for the Boodles.
King Of Kingsfield Champion Bumper, 33-1 We fancied him to run a big race at Leopardstown over Christmas but he disappointed us. He wasn't right and scoped dirty afterwards. He's much better than he showed there and goes straight to the Champion Bumper.
Landrake Martin Pipe, 33-1 He seemed to be travelling well when he fell at Navan. He's on the Martin Pipe team.
Liberty Dance Mares' Novices' Hurdle, 12-1 I actually thought she should have won that handicap hurdle at Leopardstown the last day. She was too far back and had to do too much running to get into contention. I'd give her an each-way squeak in the mares' novice.
Ludus Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 33-1 A nice juvenile who opened his account at Limerick over Christmas. Went down fighting at Punchestown last time and hopefully he'll get into the Boodles.
Mars Harper The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate He's generally been consistent and ran a cracker against Mighty Potter at Down Royal. He might run in the Plate.
Maxxum Pertemps Network Final, 7-1 Forget about his run at Leopardstown last time. He got no run at all and wasn't able to show what he was made of. He goes to the Pertemps Final and I'm hoping he's got a big shout. He's done nothing but improve all season.
Mighty Potter Turners Novices' Chase, 11-8 He's been brilliant all season and I couldn't ask for him to do any more than he has. The Turners is the right race for him and that's where he's going. I know people are questioning his run in the Supreme last year but he was immature back then and once he made a mistake it was lights out. He's strengthened up a lot and we always knew fences would be the making of him. He's definitely one of our best chances of the week.
Minella Crooner National Hunt Chase, 20-1 I'm hoping he'll come forward from his run at Fairyhouse the last day as I think he's better than that. All he does is stay so maybe the National Hunt Chase might be the race for him.
No Time To Wait Champion Bumper, 20-1 He bolted up at Down Royal and that was more than enough to book his ticket to the Champion Bumper. He's a horse we think has got a decent future.
Pour Les Filles Champion Bumper, 14-1 I liked the way he won his point for Colin Motherway and he made a winning start for us in a Leopardstown bumper over Christmas. He's on the Champion Bumper team and is coming along nicely at home.
Pied Piper Unibet Champion Hurdle, 80-1 / County Hurdle, 16-1 We knew something was amiss after he ran so poorly at Christmas and we found out afterwards he had a fibrillating heart. It was much more like it last time in the Irish Champion Hurdle and he wasn't beaten too far. We have to decide now whether to try to be placed in a Champion Hurdle or have a go at the County Hurdle.
Punitive Kim Muir, 14-1 Didn't run his race in the Thyestes and was hampered as well. He was really good when winning the Porterstown at Fairyhouse, and if he came back to that sort of form he could go well in the Kim Muir.
Riaan Martin Pipe, 20-1 Has won two of his last three and I'd say he beat a decent enough horse at Thurles the last day. The Martin Pipe is the plan now.
Riviere D'Etel Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase, 33-1 She's had her back operated on and it seems to have worked wonders. She worked very well last week and could be a dark one for the Mares' Chase. Don't forget she ran well for a long way in last year's Arkle.
Sa Fureur Martin Pipe, 25-1 He's coming along nicely and followed up his maiden hurdle win at Punchestown with a gutsy win in a novice hurdle back there. He's Martin Pipe-bound.
Salvador Ziggy Pertemps Final, 10-1 He'll go to the Pertemps and he did really well last summer, but he's high enough in the ratings for a race like that.
Search For Glory Albert Bartlett, 25-1 He would have learned loads at Clonmel the other day. That will bring him on leaps and bounds and set him up for a crack at the Albert Bartlett.
Shecouldbeanything Mares' Novices' Hurdle, She looked the likeliest winner for a long way at Punchestown and ran really well. She's in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle and could show up there. She certainly wouldn't be out of place in it anyway.
Sire Du Berlais Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, 50-1 He has won the Pertemps Final twice and was brilliant in the Grade 1 at Aintree last year when getting the better of Flooring Porter. He always seems to come alive in the spring and hopefully he'll do so again this year.
Teahupoo Stayers' Hurdle, 7-2 We liked him as a juvenile and again last year, but he's really come into his own over longer trips this season. Jack Kennedy was brilliant on him in the Hatton's Grace and he wasn't stopping at the end of the Galmoy when we upped him to three miles. He obviously handles plenty of ease in the ground but I think he'll be fine on spring ground over a trip.
Teahupoo: dominated the Galmoy Hurdle Teahupoo: "he'll be fine on spring ground over a trip" Credit: Patrick McCann The Bosses Oscar Pertemps Final, 10-1 I was delighted he showed something at Musselburgh earlier this month. He had very bad sinus trouble but that seems to have cleared up and he appears to be coming back to himself now.
The Goffer Ultima, 12-1 I thought Davy Russell gave him a brilliant ride to win the big handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. You'd be hoping he'll improve again for the step up to three miles so he goes for the Ultima.
Three Card Brag Albert Bartlett, 8-1 A thorough stayer who'll relish every yard of the trip in the Albert Bartlett. He kept galloping at Fairyhouse and he will do the same at Cheltenham. He should go very well and he's got some good form against decent novice hurdlers.
Vina Ardanza Martin Pipe, 33-1 We knew he'd be better over further than two miles. He was just touched off at Naas in November. That was a good run in a competitive race and I'd say he'll run in the Martin Pipe.
Zanahiyr County Hurdle / Coral Cup / Unibet Champion Hurdle, 66-1 He had a problem with his stifles earlier in the season but we've got it sorted now and that was much more like it in the Irish Champion Hurdle. We have the option of the Champion Hurdle or going for the County Hurdle or Coral Cup instead. He could be very interesting in one of those. We all know he's a very good horse.
FeatureGordon Elliott Stable TourPREMIUM'He's definitely one of our best chances' - Gordon Elliott on his Cheltenham teamauthor imageDavid JenningsDeputy Ireland editorGordon Elliott might not have as much firepower as his fiercest rival Willie Mulli
Although Gordon is going through a rebuilding process I suspect he will get around three winners from this bunch. Thoughts?
Many thanks blackbarn appreciated...Although Gordon is going through a rebuilding process I suspect he will get around three winners from this bunch. Thoughts?
The "3 Winners" would have to Total over 50 Points Return - in order to Break Even - let alone - Turn a Profit. - Which rather vindicates the other "thought" ...
What is the point, therefore, of these Stable Tours' from mega stables like Elliott, Mullins, Nicholls et al?
As useful as all those (useless) Cheltenham Preview Nights.
.... and if anybody/any Stable is 'saving one up' for Cheltenham ...
Then they ain't going to tell you in a Stable Tour - or Preview Night.
"Thoughts" are - The "3 Winners" would have to Total over 50 Points Return - in order to Break Even - let alone - Turn a Profit. - Which rather vindicates the other "thought" ... What is the point, therefore, of these Stable Tours' from mega stable