Gordon Elliott© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott and his team will be busy at Downpatrick on Friday where the recent Royal Ascot winning trainer sends out at least one runner in each of the seven races.
Elliott’s yard had suffered from a virus in the early part of this new season but has hit top gear in recent weeks, and the trainer begins with likely candidates in the opening BMG Insurance Hurdle.
Both Midnight Court and Count Simon represent Elliott in the extended two-mile contest, although they will face stiff opposition the Gavin Cromwell-trained Political Policy who was a recent maiden hurdle winner at Bellewstown.
Elliott sends out both Youghal By The Sea who blundered his chance away at the first flight at Bellewstown last week, and Isle Of Destiny third over course and distance last month, for the next two maiden hurdles, the second and third races respectively.
They run before Make My Heart Fly bids to come good at the sixth attempt for Elliott in the North Down Marquees Handicap Hurdle.
His JP-McManus-owned Touch Base runner-up on his last two starts, has leading claims in the Joe Rea Memorial Maiden Hurdle, where stablemate Anytime Now under Davy Russell, provides strong opposition.
Champion jockey Russell teams up with Elliott for the sixth and final time on the card in the Balloo Vets Handicap Hurdle, on bottom weight Charlotte’s Chum who does admittedly need to leave some disappointing form behind.
The concluding bumper sees Elliott’s Qatar Racing-owned Present In Court bid to improve on a promising debut when third at Kilbeggan last month.
Lisa O’Neill, who rode him that day, is on board again.
