A Toi Phil© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott is firing on all cylinders at present and it certainly looks like he intends to maintain the momentum at Down Royal, where he sends a dozen runners north for the opening session of the two-day meeting on Friday. A Toi Phil is one of the exciting additions to the Longwood handler's yard after Gigginstown decided to remove 60 horses from champion trainer Willie Mullins, and he tackles fences for the first time in the Porter & Co Beginners Chase.
The French-bred gelding impressed twice over hurdles at Leopardstown last term, including a decisive victory in the Grade Two Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle.
Just six go to post in this two-mile-three-furlong event, and Ruby Walsh's mount is joined by stablemates Be The Hero and Woodford Island
Walsh is building up a fruitful association with Elliott in recent weeks with both Jack Kennedy and Bryan Cooper sidelined through injury, and they may also successfully combine with Monbeg Notorious in the Eventsec Maiden Hurdle.
The Milan gelding was a runaway winner of a Tipperary bumper last month but will face strong opposition from stable companion The Storyteller and the Noel Meade-trained Moulin A Vent who are also coming here on the back of bumper wins. Realt Mor and Killer Crow represent Elliott in the Robinson Services Handicap Chase, while Morgan is another strong player for his powerful team in the Killyhevlin Hotel Flat Race.
