Elliott targets Navan with Cause

Cause Of Causes (right) winning at Fairyhouse
(Healy Racing Photos)

Gordon Elliott's charge has been in great form this season and ran out a cosy winner of the ultra competitive event at Ascot last month.

His handler has limited options now with his charge off a mark of 149 and he is the joint top-rated entry for the two-mile event on Sunday with Midnight Game.

The US-bred gelding is owned by the Timeform and Betfair Racing Club and the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on February 9th is not surprisingly a possible target.

“The plan is to run on Sunday. He's highly rated now and there are not a lot of places to go with him so we'll let him take his chance in the conditions race,” said Elliott.

“He's entered for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury but I'm not sure about that yet. We'll see how he gets on on Sunday before we make a decision.

“It looks a good race (on Sunday) and our lad is in good form.”

Elliott also has Shrapnel entered for the race at Navan on Sunday but revealed that he will take up an alternative engagement at Punchestown on Saturday.

The Gigginstown gelding has been a reformed character since joining Elliott this term and will be bidding for a hat-trick in the two-and-a-half mile conditions race.

“He'll run on Saturday. He seems in good old order and we've been delighted with him. He'll have to improve again to win though.”