COULD it be true that Sheikh Fahad al-Thani is hoping to ride for Gordon Elliott in bumpers this season?

The Qatari owner is incredibly enthusiastic when it comes to riding horses – his adventures ranging from the Mongolian Derby to countless charity races and winning the Newmarket Town Plate.

He recently owned a winner over hurdles, when Brutal won at Cork, though he did let Davy Russell do the steering on that occasion. This week it was revealed that the Sheikh’s Group 2 winner Pallasator will join Brutal at the Elliott yard.

The talented stayer is a quirky individual who has disgraced himself in the preliminaries and in his races on more than one occasion. It will be fascinating to see what his new trainer can achieve with him.

Gordon is undoubtedly grateful for the support but we will be surprised to see him put Sheikh Fahad up on some Gigginstown House Stud bumper horses this winter. Is Jamie Codd getting worried?