AS Gordon Elliott closes in on a century of winners for the season between Ireland and Britain, he has an army of horses that should for the remainder of the campaign compete at a very high level.
Don Cossack is the obvious standout horses and the strapping eight-year-old will be at Kempton on St Stephens Day for a crack at the King George.
“We have some really nice young horses and a few will go the bumper route this season. We’d have around 25 horses to run in point-to-points and they are the real babies. They won’t be rushed and we were busy at the sales this year, but it’s all about patience.
“The new horses need time to find their feet and get into their new routine. There is no point in asking them to do what I want them to do, if they can’t do it. We have some really nice horses in the yard and we have some of the best owners in the country and my staff are top class,” he stated.
“It is very competitive over here and that is the way it should be. Willie has set the bar very high and it is up to the rest of us to follow his lead, but that is a good thing and you only have to look at horses that line up in maiden hurdles and novice chases here during the week.
“You really need a real good horse to win one, so you know when you buy one what they need to be capable of to compete over here.
“That is the challenge and it is every bit as competitive when you try to buy the good horses, but that is what makes racing over here so good.”
Regarding his bumper horses: “I am a bit reluctant to name horses that I think might be able to win a bumper. They might disappoint and once I run a horse in a bumper, I’d be optimistic that he/she will be competitive in one.
“We bought a good few three-year-olds off the flat, but the ground has held us up a bit and we are still finding our way with most of them. It is a bit too early to say yet what some of them are like, but we’ll know a bit more about them as a bunch after Christmas.”
AZORIAN
7yo b g (P313P-536343)
Westerner - Eliane Di Rupette
Lee Power
I bought him at the sales this year for £12,000. He has been running very well and he wasn’t beaten far the last day at Naas in a Grade 3. All those good staying chases are there for him and he’ll take his chance in the Troytown (non-runner). He seems to handle any ground but I am not sure if he’ll handle what will be really testing ground at Navan. He has settled in well into his new routine and we’ll see how Sunday goes, but he jumps great and he has nearly paid for himself.
BALTAZAR D’ALLIER
4yo b g (1-)
Malinas - Kinoise D’aAllier
J.P. McManus
He is a smart horse that won a point-to-point for us first time out. He has had a few little problems, but he is a horse that we like and we’ll start him off in a bumper around Christmas time. I’d say he’ll be competitive in one and his next run will tell what route he’ll go this season.
BLESSED KING
5yo b g (U23-222)
Desert King - Lady Max
T.J. Doran
He has been second in all three starts and I’d say he’ll pick up a maiden hurdle over two and half/three miles on soft ground. There are races to be won with him and I’d say he met a good horse the other day at Punchestown. He will go chasing possibly later on this year.
BLESS THE WINGS
10yo b g (241429-3335343)
Winged Love - Silva Venture
Adrian Butler/S.P. O’Connor
He is a grand horse and he ran very well the last day at Cheltenham in the cross-country race. He is in the Becher Chase and after that he’ll go for all the cross-country races. He is a great servant and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He should pay his way well again this season.
BONISLAND
7yo b g (11134322/1/3-)
Heron Island - Dubai Dolly
Gigginstown House Stud
He is a nice horse that has been off for a while but he is back working well and he’ll go for the Troytown Chase at Navan tomorrow. He is a real staying chaser and all those good handicap chases are there for him this season. He has had a few little problems but I am happy with him now. He should give a good account of himself. He has a bit of class.
BRIGHT NEW DAWN
8yo b g (112/42245-8FU2)
Presenting - Shuil Dorcha
Gigginstown House Stud
He ran very well the last day behind Road To Riches at Clonmel. He was unlucky not to complete on his two starts before that and while he mightn’t be a Grade 1 horse, there are plenty of those graded races for him. He seems to handle any ground and Keith said that he got a bit tired after the second last at Clonmel. He’ll more than likely go for the Hilly Way Chase at Cork and two/two and a half miles will be fine for him. He seems to handle any ground.
CAPTAIN VON TRAPPE
6yo b g (12710-2312)
Germany - Culmore Native
Gigginstown House Stud
He ran very well the other day at Punchestown and that performance open up more options for him. He stays very well and anywhere from two and a half plus suits him and he’ll go for a graded chase somewhere this side of Christmas. He has a bit to go yet, but he might develop into an Irish National horse.
CASUAL APPROACH
6yo b g (2521-16)
Scorpion - Lead’er Inn
Niall Michael Earls
He won two hurdles races for us this year. He is a chaser in the making but he ran way too free the last day at Cheltenham. We’ll get him going in a handicap hurdle somewhere in a few weeks’ time and there are more races to be won with him.
CAUSE OF CAUSES
7yo b g (3372220/7518-)
Dynaformer - Angel In My Heart
J.P. McManus
He has been a great horse for us and he won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last year. He jumped around Aintree after that the plan is to back to Aintree for another go at the National. There are more races to be won with him and while I am not sure where he’ll go, Aintree is the plan for him.
CLARCAM
5yo b g (1322F24/1211281-32)
Califet - Rose Beryl
Gigginstown House Stud
He won two Grade 1s for us last year. He started off when he ran well at Gowran but he never jumped or travelled that well at Down Royal. He didn’t do a stroke that day and he had his ears pricked the whole way. We’ll stick a pair of cheek pieces on him when he runs the Durkan Chase at Punchestown. He doesn’t get three miles and two is probably a bit quick for him, so I suppose long term, he might be a Ryanair horse. He has won soft, but he is a better horse in the spring on drier ground.
COGRYHILL
5yo b g (131-15)
Presenting - Rare Gesture
Gigginstown House Stud
He is a fine, big horse that I have in the good novice hurdle at Navan tomorrow. Long term, he is a real three miler chaser and I imagine that he’ll be minded with an eye on jumping fences with him this time next year. He is a good horse and he should be up to competing in graded novice hurdles. (Finished fifth at Navan on Sunday)
DALLAS COWBOY
5yo b g (23742-1F)
Beneficial - Watson River
Gigginstown House Stud
He did it well the other day and I put him in the good novice hurdle at Navan tomorrow (fell when in contention 2 out). We’ll see I have a few options for that. He’ll run away in those good novice hurdles and he will find his own level. He didn’t manage to win a bumper, but jumping was always going to be his game.
DEATH DUTY
4yo b g (13-1)
Shantou - Midnight Gift
Gigginstown House Stud
He came to us with a big reputation and he did it well when he won his bumper at Down Royal. He’ll go for a winners’ bumper at Leopardstown at Christmas and that will tell is where he’ll go for the rest of the season. He is a fine, big horse and chasing will be his game down the road.
DE PLOTTIN SHED
5yo b g (F-2)
Beneficial - Lady Willmurt
Ives Ashley Vasey Partnership
He bumped into a good horse of Jessica Harrington’s at the weekend. He will have another go at a bumper this side of Christmas but his future is over fences. Having said that, he will go jumping after Christmas but I think he is up to winning a bumper before we send him over hurdles.
DIAMOND KING
7yo b g (11/131/7P-4)
King’s Theatre - Georgia On My Mind
Mrs Diana L. Whateley
He joined us this year and he was unlucky the last day at Down Royal. He appeared to be running a nice race when he nearly got brought down. We’ll step him up in trip to two and a half miles now and while he couldn’t want that real winter, heavy ground, there is a good day in him. He will go jumping fences sooner rather than later.
DON COSSACK
8yo b g (F2/4111131-111)
Sholokhov - Depeche Toi
Gigginstown House Stud
He has been a great horse for us and I think he has six of his last seven races. He did it well when he won at Punchestown and he was impressive at Down Royal. You can only beat what is there in front of you and he did that very well. He is a tall horse and I think he is only now filling into his frame. He seems to handle any ground, but at this stage of his life, he seems to enjoy better ground. The Gold Cup is the plan and after Kempton all being well, he’ll go for the Gold Cup. He ran at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown last season and he has won six Grade 1s for us. He is the highest-rated chaser around and while it looked as if he was a nearly horse there for a while, he has matured and developed and he has thrived and improved. There are some very good horses around and it is going to get harder from now on, but he bounced out of Down Royal and all is good with him. He is a very exciting horse to have in the yard and I think Kempton will suit him. The fact that he handles any ground is obviously a huge plus.
ESHTIAAL
5yo b g (042U-1112)
Dynaformer - Enfiraaj
Gordon Elliott
W. Salthouse/Mark McKay
He has developed into a great little horse for us. He has won a few handicap hurdles for us and ran a cracker when runner-up in the American Grand National there a few weeks ago. He picked up €60,000 for that and if the ground isn’t really bad he could go to Haydock at the weekend. If he missed the weekend, we’ll give him a break and bring him back in the spring and his main aim next year will be the American Grand National.
FAGAN
5yo ro g (234111-11)
Fair Mix - Northwood May
R.A. Bartlett
He won a couple of bumpers for us and he is the first horse that I have for Ronnie Bartlett. He jumps great and he’ll start off in a maiden hurdle in a few weeks’ time. He’ll find his own level over hurdles and he is a horse that we like. He is working well, but he might prefer a bit of nice ground.
FREE EXPRESSION
6yo b g (11/113-2)
Germany - Create A Storm
J.P. McManus
He is a very good horse. We had to back off him after he ran at Naas in January. He had a very good run at Punchestown over fences and he should on the basis of that run, be hard to beat in a beginners chase somewhere over the next few weeks. That division looks very tough this year, but we’ll see how he gets on the next day and make a plan from there.
GENERAL PRINCIPLE
6yo b g (110-)
Gold Well - How Provincial
Gigginstown House Stud
He won his bumper very well last season but I made a mistake running him at Cheltenham. He ran too free and he didn’t get home. He is back in good shape - he pulled a muscle after Cheltenham and we’ll get him going in a maiden hurdle around Christmas time. He is a massive big horse and he is one that I like a lot. If things go right for him, he could make up into a good novice hurdler this season.
GEORGES CONN
7yo b g (/1432F2232)
Whitmore’s Conn - Georges Girl
Don’t Tell The Woman Syndicate
He is a grand horse for those staying chases. He was a bit disappointing the last day but he gets in to the Troytown with a nice weight on his back (finished second). I would be a bit concerned if the ground came up very heavy for him but he jumps and stays well. He’d have an each way chance.
JETSTREAM JACK
5yo b g (FP/110-31)
Beneficial - Westgrove Berry
Mrs Diana L Whateley
He did it well when he won a maiden hurdle at Clonmel last week. He is a gorgeous, big chaser and he is only filing in time this year over hurdles. We’ll look for a novice hurdle for him somewhere and he loves that soft ground. I’d like to think that he’ll develop into a nice horse for novice hurdles over the winter and I can see him getting two and a half miles.
JURY DUTY
4yo b g (63-3)
Well Chosen - Swan Heart
Sideways Syndicate
He had a very nice run first time out at Naas and he jumps super. He’ll have a go at a bumper around Christmas time and he should be able to win his maiden hurdle. He is owned by a good group of lads and there are races to be won with him.
LORD SCOUNDREL
6yo (/143484334-1112)
Presenting - Noble Choice
Gigginstown House Stud
He has developed into a real good novice and he ran well over a trip that was too short for him at Punchestown last weekend behind Sizing John. He could go to Limerick at Christmas time for the good novice chase down there, but he has had a fine season to date and I have no doubt there are more races to be won with him once we step him back up in trip.
MALA BEACH
7yo b g (21/231/214-F)
Beneficial - Peppardstown
Chris Jones
He has been off for a while and fell on his reappearance at Thurles. He looked a good novice last season and he does stay very well. He is a horse that I like a lot and he is on the way back and I hope to have him out in a couple of weeks. He could be a horse for something like a Paddy Power Chase/ Irish National. He had a few little hiccups but we’ve had them all looked after. He is not that ground dependant and the further he goes the better. He is a fair horse and it was unfortunate that he had to miss a good bit of his novice season. He is still a young horse and his future is ahead of him.
MISS DINAMIC
6yo b m (32-2112121312)
Kutub - Royal Molly
Charles Flattery
She has had a very good this season and she has picked some blacktype as well and she is improving the whole time. We’ll target the mares’ handicap chase at Fairyhouse next weekend and that might it for the year for her.
MYZTIQUE
5yo b m (1-)
High Chaparral - Lady Rene
Ms M McKenna
She won her bumper first time out at Fairyhouse and she looked a good mare that day. She had a little setback after that but she is back working well again now. She in the mares listed bumper at Navan tomorrow and if the ground isn’t too bad she could go there. She will more than likely go over hurdles after that.
NOBLE ENDEAVOUR
6yo b g (01416/22125-23)
Flemensfirth - Old Moon
Chris Jones
He had a very good run over fences at Down Royal. He made a mistake at the last but for that, he may have won. He took off at the shadow of the wings but he has been fine since and he’ll go to Gowran today for a beginners chase (finished third). He was a good horse over hurdles and with a bit of luck, he’ll develop into a good staying novice chaser. He is a fair horse and long term, I’d like to think he could be an RSA Chase type. That’s a long way off, but you’d be hoping that he’ll be up to that kind of level.
NO MORE HEROES
6yo br g (6F1/411/1153-51)
Presenting - What A Breeze
Gigginstown House Stud
He was very good the last day and he’ll go for the Drinmore next week. He looks more at home over a fence and he has come on a nice bit for his run at Punchestown. He stays well and I’d like to think that he’ll make into a real good novice and next week will be his next big test. He likes soft ground and I can see him getting further than two and a half miles over fences.
OPERATING
8yo b g (314/3F343F31/1-5)
Milan- Seymourswift
Paul & Clare Rooney
He arrived to us from Donald McCain’s and is one of Paul and Clare Rooney’s. He is a winners of two at Gowran today (finished last of five). He works well at home and all seems good with him. He has been off the track for a while and the last time he ran, he beat Road To Riches at Punchestown for Jessie. We’ll see how he gets on, but he was bought to run in the Aintree National and that is his main aim. I am not sure that he’ll want this real heavy ground though.
OSCAR BARTON
10yo b g (1241/111211-)
Oscar - I Can Imagine
Kaniz Bloodstock Investments Limited
He will be aimed at the Foxhunters at Cheltenham. He will have another run or two beforehand and he doesn’t need to run in a hunters chase beforehand. He’ll be ridden by his owner Tim Donworth at Cheltenham. He had to miss the race last year but he is back cantering away and he seems to be in good form. He is very good jumper.
PRINCE OF SCARS
5yo b g (5/125-811)
Flemensfirth - Spirit Leader
Gigginstown House Stud
He won well the other day at Clonmel and he got a high enough penalty for that. He is in a handicap at Navan tomorrow over two miles and seven furlongs (he won it) and we’ll look for another three mile handicap hurdle around Christmas time for him - possibly the Pertemps Qualifier.
RIVERSIDE CITY
6yo ch g (6986731-F9551)
Presenting - Blazing Sky
J.P. McManus
He’ll go for the Troytown (which he won). He ran well the last day at Cork and he gets in at the bottom of the handicap. He stays well and in an open race, I’d like to think that he should run a good race.
ROBIN THYME
5yo b g (33-28)
Robin Des Champs - Boragh Thyme
M M Sammon, M A Sammon, Brendan K Fitzpatrick & R Crean
We think he is a nice bumper horse but he scoped dirty after he ran the last day at Navan. He is a good horse - one that I hope will go for a maiden hurdle over Christmas. He works well at home and he is a horse that I like and hopefully he’ll develop into a novice hurdler this season before we send him chasing next year.
ROI DU MEE
10yo b g (4/441112-23)
Lavirco - British Nellerie
Gigginstown House Stud
He is a real star around the place and he never seems to run a bad race. He pays his way every year and he’ll go to Tramore on New Year’s Day for the listed chase down there, before he takes in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse. He stays well and he loves deep ground and those Grade 2/3s are there for him and he wins one every year.
ROLL IT OUT
6yo b g (14/682043-023)
Kayf Tara - Liss A Chroi
J.P. McManus
He is a nice type that ran well the last day at Fairyhouse and on the basis of that run, he should be able to win a handicap hurdle and pay his way for the rest of the season. (Finished third at Navan on Sunday)
ROMAN GOLD
5yo ch g (P/625-411)
Beneficial - Another Burden
Gigginstown House Stud
He was good the last day at Clonmel and wonm again at Thurles on Thursday. The form of his win at Clonmel has worked out well and he might be good enough for some of those novice hurdles. Again, he’ll find his own level, but he isn’t a bad horse and there should be more to come from him.
SHADOW CATCHER
7yo ch g (6-51226722213)
Haafhd - Unchain My Heart
Mrs P. Sloan
He has been a great servant and he doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He is a genuine graded horse and he is as good over fences as he was very hurdles. He always runs his race and he’ll be aimed at graded races over two/two and a half miles. He goes on any ground and we’ll try and aim him at some nice handicap chases in the spring.
SPACE CADET
5yo b g (4123-22)
Flemensfirth - Shuil A Hocht
Chris Jones
I thought he was unlucky not to win in Down Royal. He finished second at Fairyhouse on Wednesday and will go for another maiden hurdle and he is a nice prospect. He looks a real nice horse and hopefully he’ll be up to running at a nice race over the Christmas for Chris.
SQUOUATEUR
4yo gr g (4-12)
Martaline - Samansonnienne
J.P. McManus
He came to me out of Charlie Swan’s. He won his maiden hurdle well at Fairyhouse. He isn’t with us that long but he runs in a novice hurdle at Gowran today (finished second).
TAGLIETELLE
6yo b g (51/2111441-43)
Tagula - Averami
Olduvai Syndicate
He has been a great servant and is rated 150 over hurdles now. He could go to Navan, Haydock or Dundalk at the weekend (won at Dundalk on Friday night). He has gotten a bit leery over hurdles so I’d say we’ll stick a pair of blinkers on him the next day and he will go chasing sooner rather than later. There are more races to be won with him and he jumps fences well.
TOMBSTONE
5yo ch g (31-1)
Robin Des Champs - Connaught Hall
Gigginstown House Stud
He won his bumper well for us at Naas last season. He had a little problem after which meant that we had to give him a bit of time but he won well at Down Royal. He will start off over hurdles in the next week or so and he is not slow. I’d like to think that he’ll be a graded horse over hurdles but he is a real chaser and he won’t come into his own until he goes jumping fences.
THE STORYTELLER
4yo ch g (2)
Shantou - Bally Bolshoi
Mrs P. Sloan
He had a real good run the last day when second at Down Royal. He’ll go for a bumper around Christmas time and he should win one, but he is chaser down the road and we might keep him to bumpers for this season. We’ll see how his next run goes but he is not a bad horse and he will make into a smashing chaser in time.
TYCOON PRINCE
5yo b g (4/111-13)
Trans Island - Downtown Train
Gigginstown House Stud
He is a very good horse. He shows us a lot of speed at home and he looked good when he won at Punchestown. He was disappointing at Navan and while nothing came to light, he ran below what we think he is capable of. I’d like to think that we’ll see a better horse the next day and we’ll give him a chance and get him ready for something at Christmas time - he’ll have a few options at Leopardstown and Limerick. Every horse is entitled to an off day and he seems back to himself at home. He is in the Royal Bond next weekend, but I am pretty certain that he won’t go there. We have yet to see the best of this lad over hurdles and anywhere from two to two and a half miles will suit him.
VUKOVAR
6yo b g (1F1/11217/9P-)
Voix Du Nord - Noraland
D Charlesworth
He came to us this year and on his day he looked a good horse. We are still feeling our way with him and he works well at home. He had some very good form and he will be a horse for those good chases over two and a half miles plus. He loves deep ground and we’ll know a bit more about him after he runs.
WHISTLE DIXIE
5yo b f (1/11U4-2)
Kayf Tara - Fairy Blaze
Gigginstown House Stud
She is a grand mare and she is a half-sister to Kicking King. She won a couple of bumpers last season and was fourth in the good mares’ bumper at Aintree last season. She would have needed the run when she was beaten at Galway and she is a mare that we like. We had her wind tidied up since last season and you won’t see the best of her until she goes chasing. We’ll try and get her some blacktype over hurdles. She is a couple of weeks off a run. Anywhere from two and a half miles up will be fine for her.
WOODFORD ISLAND
4yo b/br g (2-46525)
Trans Island - Toulon Breeze
T.J. Doran
He has had run a few good races in maidens and he should have no bother wining his maiden. We’ll keep him to the country tracks and he’ll be a grand horse to go chasing next season.
THREE-YEAR-OLDS
CAMPEADOR
3yo gr g (2-1)
Gris De Gris - Royale Video
Lord Daresbury
He is a nice horse that came to us from France. He is cantering away and he looks a nice horse for those juvenile hurdles. We are still learning about him and I am not sure yet where he’ll start off, but he has settled in well.
MISSY TATA
3yo b f (53-31)
Astarabad - Queen Running
Simon Munir
She had some good form in France and I thought she looked the best juvenile that we’ve seen so far when she won at Down Royal. I’d say she’ll go to Fairyhouse for the Grade 3 there next week and that will tell us more about her. Bryan said she took at blow the last day so she should come on for the run. Fairyhouse will tell what route she’ll go and the softer the ground the better for her.
OFFICER SYDNEY
3yo b g (-11)
Lawman - Morena Park
Mr & Mrs P. Rooney Partnership
We bought him out of Brian Meehan’s during the summer. He has won his two juvenile hurdles and after he won at Perth, we gave him a break. He is back in working well and he’ll go for the Grade 1 at Leopardstown on St Stephens Day. We’ll see how he gets on there - that run will tell us where he’ll go for the rest of the season. He stays well and will in time he’ll get a bit further than two miles. He just wouldn’t want the ground too soft and he might be a better horse in the spring.
PERSIFLAGE
3yo b f (201)
Sir Percy - Emirates First
Gordon Elliott & Tony Cromwell & Mrs B. McConnell
She is a grand honest horse that won a juvenile hurdle for us at Perth and she will do a bit of both next season. She jumps well and he likes a bit of good ground. We’ll see how she is after Christmas and he might have an entry in the Fred Winter.
STEADY MAJOR
3yo b g F: (-22114077434)
Invincible Spirit - Combust
Gordon Elliott Racing Club
He is a new addition to the Gordon Elliott Racing Club and we bought him at the sales a few weeks ago. He has settled in well and we like him. He’ll start off in a juvenile and he jumps and stays. He will be a dual-purpose horse next year and he should be a good fun horse for the club.
TOCORORO
3yo b f (2)
Teofilo - Firecrest
Gigginstown House Stud
She had a nice enough run the last day when second at Down Royal. We gave her a little break after that but she is back working well and she’ll go for another three-year-old hurdle around Christmas time. Hopefully she’ll win her juvenile hurdle and she should improve with racing. She was keen the last day but she has settled down well and is a big honest mare. She will go on any ground.