Showing posts with label Gordon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gordon. Show all posts
September 22, 2013
April 27, 2013
Gordon Richards Stakes: Al Kazeem makes winning return
Al Kazeem returned from a 357-day lay-off with victory in the Gordon Richards Stakes...
Last seen when winning the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, Roger Charlton's charge travelled well throughout the 10-furlong heat in the hands of James Doyle.
Ektihaam set out to make virtually all but Al Kazeem was cruising in behind turning for home before finally making his move with a furlong to go.
Thomas Chippendale made it a three-way finish by launching his challenge down the outside and while Al Kazeem possibly felt his long absence in the dying strides, he hung on by.
Thomas Chippendale claimed a narrow second with Ektihaam third.
Al Kazeem has entries in races such as the Coronation Cup and Prince Of Wales's Stakes this term but Charlton is targeting a trip to Ireland at the end of May.
Charlton said: "I was a bit apprehensive because a lot of mine will come on for the run. He looked great and that was a good effort.
"We know he gets a mile and half, but a mile and a quarter is a more commercial distance, as long as he can win good races over that distance, but he will have entries over a mile and a half as well.
"In the immediate future, I think he will go to the Curragh for Tattersalls Gold Cup."
Doyle is expecting his mount to progress for the run and said: "Since he's come back he's been galloping great at home and doing everything right.
"We expected this today. Today is a stepping stone to bigger things and he couldn't have done it any easier.
"It was his first run for ages so I didn't want to ask him to do too much too soon and when he got to the front he pricked his ears and lugged into the rail."
Thomas Chippendale pleased connections on his return but is now set for a step up in trip.
Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, said: "The best three on form were first, second and third so you'd have to say that was a very good run. I think he might step up a couple of furlongs now."
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March 12, 2013
Gordon Elliott at Cheltenham: The views on my three Tuesday runners
Gordon Elliott on Carlito Brigante
"The better the ground, the better a performance I would be expecting to see from him so I am just hoping that no more rain materialises and the track dries out."
Day one of the Cheltenham Festival sees Cullentra House Stables with three runners at the Prestbury Park venue. Cause of causes runs for the Timeform Betfair racing club in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and we get Gordon's thoughts on all of his runners here...
13:30 Cheltenham - Cause of Causes
We were disappointed with his run in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February, where he finished a well beaten 16th of 21 runners behind today's favourite My Tent or Yours. The tacky ground and the slow pace of that race certainly didn't suit him and with a faster pace and a more suitable surface likely here, I would be hoping for a better performance.
There is no doubt that this is his toughest assignment to date, however I do think that if he can put his experience and the battling characteristics he has shown this season, to good use here he could be very competitive. He ran very well here in the Racing Post hurdle last November finishing third of 18 runners behind Olofi, and he was only beaten 3 ¼ lengths at the finish. We know he handles the track, regular pilot Davy Condon is booked to take the ride and with soft ground forecast I'd be hopeful of a good performance.
16:40 Cheltenham - Mae's Choice
She's been in good form at home since finishing a relatively disappointing fifth of eight runners behind Nicky Henderson's Ma Filleule, in a Grade Two mares hurdle at Warwick back in February. Prior to that she had been running well, and she won a Grade Three hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in 2012 under Paul Carberry, who is booked to take the ride again.
I have no doubt that Willie Mullins exceptional mare Quevega will be very hard to beat, and if she could manage to finish in the first five or six I would be very happy. She will need to produce a career best effort and will need to improve significantly on what she has shown to date to get into the frame. However I'd be confident that the trip of 2m4f and the forecast soft ground should suit her, and if she takes to the track I'd be hopeful of a good run.
17:15 Cheltenham - Carlito Brigante
He has been in great form since his recent run on the all-weather at Dundalk, and this race has been the target for him all season. He loves it around here, and seems to come to life when he runs at this track. He won a competitive novice chase here over a similar distance in October beating Paul Nicholls' Domtaline by a short head, and he was a very good winner of the Coral Cup back in 2011 off an OR of 140.
He gets in here off a mark of 137 and he looks well treated on the face of things, and my only worry would be the forecast soft ground. The better the ground, the better a performance I would be expecting to see from him so I am just hoping that no more rain materialises and the track dries out. His regular rider Davy Russell takes the ride, and his experience will count for a lot in a race of this nature. I'd be disappointed if he couldn't go close, but his dependency for good ground will play a large part in any chance he may have.
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March 9, 2013
Gordon Ellliott: The views on my weekend runners at Gowran and Naas
Gordon Elliott on Barneys Honour
"He has to contend with a full 16lbs rise in the weights here and he will have to improve significantly from Navan to overcome that."
The weekend's action sees Gordon with four runners, and after a superb double last Saturday at Navan and his in-form string gearing up for the Cheltenham Festival next week, we get his thoughts on their chances...
Saturday
15.55 Gowran Park - Barneys Honour
I was very pleased with how he won at Navan last Saturday, but unfortunately we couldn't get another run into him before his new chase mark of 118 came into effect, because the ground had gone against him at Downpatrick on Wednesday. He has to contend with a full 16lbs rise in the weights here and he will have to improve significantly from Navan to overcome that.
He came out of the race at Navan very well and he has been in good form since then and thankfully we have Paul Carberry booked to take the ride again. It looks like an extremely competitive race, but there's a big pot on offer and I'd be delighted if he could finish in the money. He ran well here over hurdles in January finishing second of 11 runners behind Rory Anna only beaten 4 ½ lengths, so we know he handles the track, and with soft ground forecast he should have conditions to suit.
17.35 Gowran Park - Rockdown
He finished second on his debut outing in a point-to-point at Nenagh at the end of January, and then he won well next time out at Killaloe on February 24, staying on nicely to land the spoils. He will have to improve on what he has been showing us at home to be competitive and I'm just not quite sure if he will be as well suited to bumpers as I'd like, but the experience will certainly do him no harm.
Both of his point-to-points were over three miles on soft ground, so he will relish the conditions and the extended 2m2f should also be in his favour. Nina Carberry is booked to take the ride on the same day she saddles her first runner as a trainer, and having such an experienced rider will help the horse immensely. He may be one to keep an eye in the future, and I'm just hoping for a good showing from him on his first time under rules.
Sunday
14.10 Naas - Shrapnel
He can be a bit tricky, and his form has been a bit in and out of late. He had an off day when he ran at Clonmel in February finishing a well beaten 30l, fifth of seven runners behind Willie Mullins Inis Island. He had been running very well up to then, winning two on the bounce at Galway and Fairyhouse, and then finishing a very respectable second to Si C'Etait Vrai at Punchestown in January.
I have no doubt he is a very talented horse and if he was on a going day here he would have a good chance. It looks a very competitive race, and he has to give 4lbs to Mullins' talented mare Zuzka. She may be hard to beat on those terms, and with the likes of Clonbannon Lad and Moscow Mannon also in opposition he will have to be at the top his game to land this. Davy Russell is booked to take the ride, and if he can return to the same for he was showing at the end of last year I would be quite hopeful.
15.35 Naas - Tarquinius
He's been in good form since finishing a head second to Jandanli in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park towards the end of January. He was ready to run in the Eider Chase at Newcastle on February 23 but unfortunately the card was abandoned on the day. He was due to run off an OR of 136 that day, but gets in here off a mark of 129 so he is definitely a better handicapped horse on this side of the water.
He's gone up 6lbs in the weights since the Thyestes but he is ultra-consistent and is as tough as they come, and if he can reproduce the form he has been showing of late he should be in the mix. He will relish the forecast soft ground and he stays all day so three miles will be right up his street, and with Davy Condon booked to take the ride I'd be looking for another solid effort.
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July 15, 2012
Gordon Elliott: His Excellency's chances on Monday
"On ratings this looks a good opportunity for him but we would never take anything for granted because he’s a bit of a monkey."
Gordon has just one runner at Killarney this evening but he looks to have a favourite's chance in what is a good race. Get Gordon's exclusive comments.
18.20 Killarney - His Excellency
On ratings this looks a good opportunity for him but we would never take anything for granted because he's a bit of a monkey. We were delighted with him when he made a winning chasing debut over course and distance back in May.
We had to run him back over hurdles last month because there aren't any opportunities over fences for four-year-olds at this time of year.
He's in great form at home and he receives the weight-for-age allowance today but I would like to see the ground dry out a bit more for him. It's a really valuable race so let's hope he puts his best foot forward because if he does so, he should run a really big race.
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April 9, 2012
Gordon Elliott: My Tuesday runners
Gordon Elliott 
/ Gordon Elliott / 09 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
"Davy Condon is on board and he’ll probably ride him (Time to Work) as he was ridden the last day, sitting behind the pace and hoping to deliver him late."
Gordon sends two runners to Fairyhouse this afternoon, believing there could be plenty more to come from one of them. Get his exclusive comments here.
16.00 Fairyhouse
He won his maiden well at Down Royal and is taking a big step up in grade this afternoon. He's got a bit to find with some of the other runners but there should be more to come from him. Davy Condon is on board and he'll probably ride him as he was ridden the last day, sitting behind the pace and hoping to deliver him late. He has to improve on what he's done so far but he's a nice horse and we think he's well capable of a big run.
18.30 Fairyhouse
He didn't run his race when pulled up in the four-mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time, where he probably didn't see out the trip. He's got to improve if he's to get involved today but he's been in good form at home recently and the trip and ground won't be a problem this time. He's probably high enough in the handicap at the moment but he's still capable of running well.
With six runners out for the Capranny stable, including top weight Roi Du Mee in the Irish National and the exciting Don Cossack in the concluding bumper, Gordon could have a dramatic afternoon at Fairyhouse. Read his thoughts on all those runners here...
Gordon saddles three runners on the opening day of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival this afternoon, but perhaps his best chance of a winner lies elsewhere. Get his exclusive comments here....
Gordon sends two to Limerick this afternoon, with Musawama looking to give him the perfect start in the opening maiden hurdle. Get his exclusive thoughts on the pair here....
April 8, 2012
Gordon Elliott: My Sunday runners at Fairyhouse and Cork
Gordon Elliott / Gordon Elliott / 08 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Gordon runs three at Fairyhouse (pictured) but could his best chance be at Cork?
"We're hoping that the faster ground at Cork will help Discoteca – his two wins on the flat came on good to firm ground".
Gordon saddles three runners on the opening day of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival this afternoon, but perhaps his best chance of a winner lies elsewhere. Get his exclusive comments here.
14:55 Fairyhouse
His Excellency
We're stepping him up to two and a half miles for the first time and he's also taking on older horses here. It looks a pretty hot race but, as I've always said about him, he's got lots of ability and is capable of a good run. Davy Russell prefers Savello (fellow Gigginstown House-owned runner trained by Tony Martin) and so Andrew McNamara will ride him. He'll drop the horse out and hope to deliver him late. It's a tough task and if he finishes in the first four or five, we'll be delighted.
15:55 Fairyhouse
Rocky Wednesday
Like His Excellency, he's a bit of a monkey but has plenty of talent. He won his maiden on heavy ground in Down Royal at Christmas and was just touched off in a handicap at Naas in February. When he won his maiden on the flat it was fast ground but he would prefer it softer than he'll get here and he is probably facing a tough task. Davy Russell knows him well and we're just hoping for a good run from him.
17:00 Fairyhouse
Lord Redsgirth
He ran well enough on his debut over fences last month at Gowran Park but he has it all to do today. I'm not sure that's he's up to winning a beginners' chase at a big meeting such as this but hopefully there'll be other days for him.
14:05 Cork
Discoteca
He's in good order at home and we're hoping for a good run from him. He ran very well when second on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas and he faced a couple of tough tasks in graded company afterwards. We're hoping that the faster ground at Cork will help him - his two wins on the flat came on good to firm ground. Davy Condon will ride him and we're hopeful that he should be up to going close in this company.
Gordon sends two to Limerick this afternoon, with Musawama looking to give him the perfect start in the opening maiden hurdle. Get his exclusive thoughts on the pair here....
Gordon keeps it local on Saturday with five runners at Navan headed by the consistent Roi Du Mee, who contests the featured Webster Cup Chase at 17:20. Get Gordon's exclusive thoughts on all five runners here....
Gordon has two runners at his local track today and he's keen on the chances of Rocky Wednesday. Read why here......
March 30, 2012
Gordon Elliott Stable News: Grand National update
/ Gordon Elliott / 30 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Aintree beckons for Chicago Grey
"We schooled Chicago Grey over Grand National-style fences at home this week and we were very pleased with him".
Gordon brings an exclusive update from Capranny, where Chicago Grey has impressed during recent Aintree preparations...
It looks like I'll have two runners in the Aintree Grand National on April 14.
Chicago Grey has long been targeted at the race and we schooled over Grand National-style fences at home this week and we were very pleased with him. Everything seems to be going well in his prep at the moment - touch wood - and we're really looking forward to bringing him to Aintree. Paul Carberry will ride him there.
Tharawaat will get into the race so we're also going to let him take his chance. Davy Condon schooled him over the Grand National-style fences and it also went well for him.
Nedzers Return is being aimed at the Foxhunters' Chase and remains on target for it.
Don Cossack is in very good form at home and he'll go to Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday, provided the ground is safe. I've always said I would be in no rush with him and that's still the case. He could be a bit special so we'll continue to be patient with him, but he'll be ready for the Fairyhouse race, provided the conditions are right for him.
Carlito Brigante had to get eight or nine stitches after being struck into early in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. That's obviously held him up a bit but we'll aim him to have him back for Punchestown. After that, he could go summer jumping, over the larger obstacles.
Cause Of Causes was a bit unlucky not to pick up his maiden hurdle at Downpatrick last weekend but he's come out of the race absolutely fine. I'd say we'll keep him for Punchestown now. We'll also probably keep him on the go through the summer as I think he prefers better ground and he's a horse that could do well on the Flat and over jumps.
Timeform Dubai Handicapper Stephen Molyneux brings you his SmartPlay selections for the $10 million Dubai World Cup card......
Timeform take a look at the runners for a typically competitive Lincoln Handicap, run over Town Moor's straight mile......
The world's richest race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday March 31, has attracted a star-studded fourteen-runner field. Timeform give you their assessment of the race, runner by runner.......
All the betting moves ahead of the evening racing at Wolverhampton and Dundalk...
February 26, 2012
Gordon Elliott: Sunday at Naas
Gordon Elliott / Gordon Elliott / 26 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Gordon sends three to Naas
"He's won on good and heavy ground so he shouldn't have a problem with the conditions here and I'm expecting him to show more this afternoon than he did at Fairyhouse".
Gordon sends three runners to Naas this afternoon. Read his exclusive thoughts here...
The Last Straw
She's been very disappointing on the flat for us (rated 44) and is being sent over hurdles for the first time today. My horses usually improve for their hurdling debut but she's fit from the flat and I'd like to see some sparkle from her this afternoon.
Rocky Wednesday
He was an easy winner of a maiden hurdle at Down Royal over Christmas but has disappointed in two runs since then. He doesn't lack for ability but he's just a bit of a monkey and it'll always be the case with him that he has a chance if he chooses to put his best foot forward. Davy Russell is on board today and he'll probably try to deliver him late.
Martin Scruff
I was disappointed that he didn't run a bit better at Fairyhouse last time but he's probably still a bit high in the handicap and needs to drop another few pounds to be really competitive. He's won on good and heavy ground so he shouldn't have a problem with the conditions here and I'm expecting him to show more this afternoon than he did at Fairyhouse
Gordon has three runners for Gigginstown House Stud this afternoon at Fairyhouse. Get his exclusive thoughts on the trio....
Last year's Coral Cup winner, Carlito Brigante, represents Gordon on the all-weather at Dundalk this evening. Read his thoughts on its chances here......
Gordon sends three runners to Gowran Park this afternoon, and one to Navan tomorrow. At the Co. Kilkenny venue, Timeform Betfair Racing Club's Cause Of Causes makes his hurdles debut. Get Gordon's exclusive thoughts on all four runners below......
November 29, 2011
Gordon Elliott: Wolverhampton wins would top a good weekend
Gordon Elliott / Gordon Elliott / 28 November 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Can Priors Gold repeat at Wolverhampton
"Priors Gold was long odds-on when winning over a mile and six here at Wolverhampton on Friday night and he gets the mandatory six-pound increase for that effort.
Brendan Powell, who we've booked for this afternoon, is a young jockey with a bright future and he claims 7lbs off him so he's effectively running off a pound lower mark."
He landed a valuable race at Navan on Sunday and has a trio of runners going at Wolverhampton - can they follow up? Read Gordon's exclusive thoughts here
Let's start off with a quick look back at Navan yesterday afternoon, where Mount Benbulben did us proud when winning the Grade 2 Monksfield Hurdle - an important win for us. The horse has come out of the race pretty well and it was great to win for Barry Connell, who bought him at the Cheltenham sales.
Davy Condon gave him a great ride to get him up late and, after that, I don't think the horse will dropped in trip. As I said all along, he's a horse that will get three miles in time, so hopefully it's onwards and upwards for him.
He could reappear at Navan next month or, if not, we'll wait until January and a trip to Leopardstown. His long-term goal is one of the novice events in Cheltenham, so fingers crossed he continues to improve for us.
Getting back to today's action, I have three runners in Wolverhampton.
Wolverhampton, 14:10
Caracal
He remains a maiden and has been well beaten on his most recent runs, although he was third in a handicap at Dundalk back in October. He's been dropped seven pounds since then and I suppose that gives him some chance of reaching the frame but, with him, it's all about his frame of mind. He certainly has the ability to win at this level but it's all in his head.
Wolverhampton, 17:20
Priors Gold & Sounds Of Thunder
These two go to Wolverhampton this afternoon because I can't get them in at Dundalk. Priors Gold is a pretty consistent hurdler, who has shown a decent level of form in that sphere but both of his wins have come on good ground and so we thought we might take the opportunity to run him on the all-weather while the turf is soft.
He was long odds-on when winning over a mile and six here at Wolverhampton on Friday night and he gets the mandatory six-pound increase for that effort.
Brendan Powell, who we've booked for this afternoon, is a young jockey with a bright future and he claims 7lbs off him so he's effectively running off a pound lower mark. He goes an extra couple of furlongs today, which is probably about as far as he wants to go on the flat, but he's in great form and Brendan seems to riding with real confidence so we're hopeful of another big run.
Sounds Of Thunder is similar to Priors Gold in that all her winning form over jumps is on good ground. She was a winner on the all-weather here at Wolverhampton for Harry Dunlop back in 2009, when running off a mark of 65. She's five pounds lower than that today, but that victory came over nine furlongs and the two-mile trip is a worry.
On her last run on the flat - in Dundalk back in April - she wasn't beaten all that far but, again, that was only over 11 furlongs. I'm also concerned that she might need this run.
Tharawaat is the major hope for Gordon Eliott in the feature event of the weekend - the Troytown Chase at Navan - read about that horse and all his other runners here...
It's all systems go for Gordon Elliott with runners on both days including one on English soil (well, the All-Weather at Wolverhampton). Read about them all here......
Gordon Elliott takes us through his five chasers and five hurdlers to watch in what is already shaping up to be a cracking season for the Irish trainer and Betfair columnist......
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