Elliott sends strong team to Fairyhouse Gordon Elliott's team are in flying form as the National Hunt season kicks into gear and he looks set for another profitable day at Fairyhouse on Tuesday. The Cullentra handler has leading claims in the first four races on the card at the County Meath venue. Davy Russell takes the mount on Mitchouka in the opening Racing On New Year's Day 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle as the Gigginstown gelding bids for compensation after an agonising defeat on his Irish debut. He looked all set to collect at the first time of asking for his new connections at Thurles last month when cruising into the lead two from home. A slight mistake at the last put him under pressure, however, and he was nailed on the line by Apparition. This looks a nice opportunity now to atone for that narrow defeat. Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Apparition, saddles an interesting rival in Castle Howard, who makes his first start in the colours of JP McManus. The Excelebration gelding had one run for Ballydoyle as a two-year-old when fifth behind Psychedelic Funk at Naas in May of last year. Monbeg Worldwide looks a nice staying prospect for Gigginstown and Elliott, and he aims to get off the mark over timber in the Book Your Christmas Party At Fairyhouse December 16th Maiden Hurdle. The unbeaten Lucarno gelding won three bumpers last season and already has jumping experience in the bag as a former point-to-point winner. Another nice prospect who lines up in opposition is the Dermot McLoughlin-trained Canardier, who won his sole start in a Punchestown bumper back in April. He looked a very promising individual that day and the form has worked out well since, with several subsequent winners finishing in behind him. Jack Kennedy has the mount on Monbeg Worldwide and also teams up with Elliott aboard The Storyteller in the www.fairyhouse.ie Hurdle. The Shantou gelding looks the pick at the weights in the two-and-a-half-mile contest. He was last seen beating a good field in some style at Thurles in January and his novice form is strong. Willie Mullins saddles Chateau Conti, who is next best on ratings, but the French-bred has something to prove on his return having pulled up on his final two starts of last season. It's no surprise to see Elliott turn out Poormans Hill quickly in the Fairyhouse Ladies Handicap Chase following his cosy win at Down Royal on Saturday. Kennedy appeared to win with a bit up his sleeve then and the Stowaway gelding has just a 4lb penalty to defy now. Katie O'Farrell also takes a useful 7lb off his back now to lessen the burden of his top weight.
