RACING:GORDON ELLIOTT is gearing up to try to secure the first success of his training career at the Cheltenham Festival but can keep the home fires burning at Down Royal this afternoon.
The Trim-based trainer sends four horses north and the best of them could be Trendelenburg who can complete a hat-trick in the handicap hurdle (2m 4f).
Only Willie Mullins has trained more winners in Ireland this season but Elliott’s 51 domestic victories are accompanied by 30 more in Britain too.
It is an impressive strike rate but with Cheltenham looming, Elliott has already nominated Chicago Grey in the four-mile National Hunt Chase as his best chance of a breakthrough win at the festival despite also having the Grade One winner Jessies Dream for the RSA Chase.
“If we get Chicago Grey there in one piece, he’ll definitely be bang there. He’s got good form around the track, all he does is stay and he had a good run in a Grade One in his last race,” he said.
Trendelenburg is no star but the ex-pointer has been in good form over flights and after a Limerick victory, he followed up with a defeat of Golan Saor and an 8lb penalty may not be enough to prevent a three-timer.
Lord Redsgirth has been placed in his last two starts behind Bayross and Aughaloor and looks to hold big claims in the second division of the maiden hurdle.
Cayo Levantado makes his fencing debut in the Beginners Chase but this former staying hurdler faces a tough task on figures against the 131-rated Gates Of Rome.
Dessie Hughes has ruled out the Grand National runner-up Black Appalachi from a return to Liverpool due to injury but Caheronaun can boost the Curragh trainer with success in the bumper.
