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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Elliott targets Cheltenham with Frontal Assault

Sun 21st Feb 2021, 16:35

Frontal Assault (near side) and Angels DawnFrontal Assault (near side) and Angels Dawn
© Photo Healy Racing

Frontal Assault completed a Graded double for owner Gigginstown House Stud, trainer Gordon Elliott and stable jockey Jack Kennedy at Navan today, landing the rescheduled Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle.

Scheduled for Clonmel's abandoned meeting on Thursday, today's €27,500 renewal saw leader Minella Escape (5/6 favourite) fall when strongly pressed at the second last flight, as Frontal Assault eventually fought off the challenge of runner-up Angels Dawn a maiden, to score a three parts of a length win.

Winning trainer Elliott, successful in Grade 2 opener with Coko Beach stated “he (Frontal Assault) was way too keen with the blinkers in Leopardstown.

“He'll be a grand big staying chaser. He really stayed well there.

“He'll get an entry in the Martin Pipe (Conditional Jockeys Hurdle at Cheltenham) and we'll see what happens. The likes of Punchestown might not be ideal for him if the ground gets too quick.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.