Elliott unveils new yard Gordon Elliott held an open day at his new yard in Longwood, Co. Meath on Friday afternoon in conjunction with Betfair. Visitors were shown around the new purpose built 80-box yard which was completed just a month ago. The trainer bought the 78 acre property back in May 2011 and has transformed it into a thoroughly modern training centre from scratch. Facilities include a four-and-a-quarter furlong sand gallop, a six-and-a-half furlong woodchip gallop and an all-weather schooling run of just over a furlong. “I've had a couple of great seasons and was very nervous about coming here,” admitted Elliott. “I was worried I might not get winners for months but we are only here a month and we've had seven winners already. “It's all my design and I built it all the way I wanted. We have plenty of fresh air through the stables which was important to me.” Elliott has established himself as one of the brightest young trainers in the country in recent years and is quick to pay tribute to his staff for playing a big part in that success. “Without the staff none of this would be happening. I've got the best staff in Ireland. “Annie (Bowles his fiancée) is brilliant in doing the office and riding out and Simon McGonagle is the main man here. “I've been friends with him for as along as I can remember and he knows the way I think. He's a massive part of this place and deserves a special mention.” Elliott's training career received a massive boost in just his first season when Silver Birch landed the Grand National and he has made the move to the new yard also. “He's the most special horse in the place and he'll be here to the day he dies. He's a great horse and only for him none of this would have happened.” The yard is packed full of nice young horses and Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud has a large presence having enjoyed plenty of success with Elliott in recent years. The one horse that seems to excite the trainer more than any other is Don Cossack, who looked a future star when landing three bumpers last season. The leading lights of the yard were paraded for a big crowd that attended the event, after a team of horses had cantered on the gallops. The cast of jockeys riding out was impressive with Paul Carberry, Nina Carberry, Robbie Power, Jamie Codd and Derek O'Connor among those in action. Elliott was interviewed by At The Races host Kevin O'Ryan after the demonstration on the gallops and gave a run down on some of his star performers for this season:- Don Cossack “He's a machine. He's a hot enough horse and Bobby (McNally) has done a lot of work settling him. He's not an easy ride at home. “He's a gorgeous horse and if he'd been a human he would have been a model! “If we ever have a Gold Cup horse this is it and we'll just take it steady steady with him. This year and next aren't the most important with him. “It'll be six weeks before he runs as he pulled a little muscle and had an easy two weeks. He'll be back in full work on Monday.” Toner D'Oudairies “He'll make a smashing chaser this year. He was runner-up at Cheltenham last year (in the Martin Pipe Conditionals Hurdle) and but for a mistake at the last I think he would nearly have won. “He's filled out and is an exciting horse to go chasing. He's a month behind the other horses and it'll be six weeks before he runs. We'll try and map out one of the handicaps at Cheltenham for him.” Mount Benbulben “He's a very exciting horse. He pulled a muscle at Navan (when second in Grade 1 to Boston Bob) and was just too fresh at Cheltenham and didn't get home. “He's going to get plenty of running this year. He's a Beneficial and they can be a bit hot. “He's in (a beginners chase) at Punchestown on Wednesday. We haven't got him away for a gallop and he'll come on for the run but he's in good nick.” Cause Of Causes “He's been a great horse and was just touched off in the Galway Hurdle. It's been great for Betfair (owned by Timeform Betfair Racing Club Ltd) as he's the first horse they sent us. “I was mad keen to go to Perth with him afterwards and he just ran a bit flat, so I'll take the blame for that. “He's the type of horse you could go anywhere with. He could go to Royal Ascot for a staying handicap and he'll jump a fence in time. “He's very laid back and wouldn't show a lot at home.” Plan A “He's been placed at the last two Cheltenham festivals and was also placed in the Galway Hurdle. “He had a nice run over fences at Ballinrobe when he was second and he'll probably run again in the next few weeks. “He seems to like Cheltenham so we'll be looking for a handicap there.” Bold Optimist (who won his sole start in bumper at Leopardstown in December 2010 and was favourite for Cheltenham bumper afterwards) “He's a fine looking horse and has grown a hand-and-a-half since he won his bumper. “He's been plagued with injuries but is a very very good horse. His owner deserves a medal for his patience. “He's had him at every vet in Europe but he's back in good nick now. “It'll be Christmas before he runs and it's day to day with him. He's very good if we get him back to the track.” Chicago Grey “Cossie McGivern rides him every day and knows him inside out and he says he's better than ever. “He's actually come back a lot stronger. We'll train him for the Grand National again and he'll start off at Cheltenham. “We were worried last year that he might not be quick enough for the Grand National. He winged the first couple though before getting brought down.” Mae's Choice “I was telling her owner Miceal Sammon from the start that she was slow and she might win a point-to-point. “She won her point-to-point and then a couple of hurdles but got beat when money-on at Ayr. “He was mad to run at Punchestown but I wasn't keen as I don't like taking horses and finishing tailed off so all credit to him for taking the chance. “She's entered in a mares race at Punchestown but we haven't been away with her either and she's not as fit as I would like. “Whatever she does on Wednesday is a stepping stone. She doesn't do a lot at home but when she gets to the racing she shows her stuff.”
