Group 1 Targets For Beckford Gordon Elliott is considering a couple of Group One options for his Railway Stakes hero Beckford. The Cullentra handler is, of course, no stranger to top-level success over jumps having trained the likes of Gold Cup hero Don Cossack and top-class mare Apple's Jade. He is now hoping to make his mark at the top end of the Flat sphere with a horse who stepped up from his impressive Curragh debut to strike at Group Two level last weekend. "He came out of the race fine and we're delighted with him," said Elliott. "It was a bit of a surprise to win the Railway. It was nice to do it. "He'll have a bit of a break now and either go for the Phoenix Stakes (Curragh, August 13) or a race in France (Prix Morny, Deauville) on the same day." Beckford was initially owned by the Nick Bradley Racing Club before being sold to Newtown Anner Stud Farm prior to his Railway triumph. Elliott told At The Races: "It's great to be in a position to train horses like that. Newtown Anner bought him and to repay them with a Group Two with their first runner is great. "They could have sent him to one of their Flat trainers, but they left him with me, so fair play to them."
