Gordon Elliott runs through his Cheltenham chances: 'My gut is that he’s not a real two-miler' Gordon Elliott has his team firing ahead of the big spring festivals and approaches March with the likes of Brighterdaysahead, Romeo Coolio and Teahupoo. William Hill ambassadors Jane Mangan and Barry Geraghty sat down with the Cullentra trainer to get the latest on his stars and their chances at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Elliott is hopeful of more success this year: “We’ve got a good team going over and hopefully we don’t have to wait to the last race for a winner like we did last year”! Brighterdaysahead She’s been to Cheltenham twice. Last year she wasn’t right, she had an issue with her knee. She seems in great form this year. I’m looking forward to the Champion Hurdle. She’s a big mare - Eddie buys fillies that look like a gelding. He buys a big, imposing filly. She’s a very good mare. She’s probably as good a mare as I’ve ever had. She just does everything so easily. Ballyfad Turners Novices’ Hurdle made for him? I think so. I haven’t discussed it with Michael and Eddie yet. He’s not a flashy horse at home. He stays very well and has a great attitude, he doesn’t show a thing at home but he jumps and he wants to win. El Cairos El Cairos looked like he was going to the awesome in Leopardstown when he came down at the last. I didn't want to throw him into a Grade 1 after a fall, he’s not the biggest robust horse but I just wanted to get him out and get him some confidence at Thurles but he gave me a fright at the last, maybe that’s the horse he’s going to be. Jack came in and put his hands up but I know what way I'd like him to ride him in the Supreme. He’s in great form and I couldn’t be happier with him. Romeo Coolio Fairyhouse is probably the place to run Romeo. The Arkle could be the place to run him but Jack might have a different opinion. It’s a nice problem to have, my own gut is that he’s not a real two-miler. The owners are from the UK and I understand completely they want to go to Cheltenham. If he was mine and it was left to me, I’d go to Fairyhouse. Teahupoo He’s so laid back, nothing stresses him, he’s a great horse, the horse of a lifetime. I’m really looking forward to the Stayers’ Hurdle with him. When they get a bit older they get stronger and heavier, I think he’s getting stronger. Honesty Policy I love the way he hit the line at Ascot, he’s a slighter horse than Teahupoo but he’s dangerous in the Stayers’ Hurdle. I was keen to get another run into him but we’ll get a racecourse gallop into him. He worked well last week and Helen, who rides him, is very happy with him. Wodhooh She just keeps giving and she has a good chance in the Mares’ Hurdle. She’s not getting the credit she deserves. She keeps winning, she’s left in the Stayers’ as well but she’ll go for the Mares’ Hurdle. Other Cheltenham Chances Found A Fifty - he is just a step or two below the real good horses, I’d say he probably will run in the Champion Chase. Firefox - I've been getting it wrong with him his whole career, he’s really quick at home but I’d say he wants a trip. I think if we run him in a Gold cup he’ll be in the first four or five but he loves passing other horses at 60 or 50-1 he could run well in the Gold Cup. I wouldnt go to both the Gold Cup and the Grand National. Favori De Champdou - He has a great chance in the cross country, we’re in with a nice racing weight. Skylight Hustle - I'm going to step him up to 2m5f and he could be a really classy horse. Western Fold - The Brown Advisory is wide open, a bit of better ground and he could be very dangerous. Get €40 in free bets to spend on Cheltenham with William Hill
