‘He means business’ – Gordon Elliott attacks Cheltenham with 34-1 double

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott is in terrific form heading over to Prestbury Park this weekend. He has won with five of his last 11 runners and nearly everything he runs at present is hitting the frame. Elliott has had a very tough 12 months or so but is doing his best to leave that episode behind him and build his somewhat tarnished reputation back up.

Cullentra House will be hoping for a big weekend at Cheltenham this week and they have a nice little team heading across the water. On Friday, they have two big chances and the two of them combine to form a 34-1 double. It would be no surprise if both of them won. He means business.

2.55 Cheltenham

Alpha Des Obeaux was a class act back in the day, placed five times in Grade 1s over hurdles. He is a long way away from that now and is a very unreliable sort these days but he ran well in the Cross Country at the Festival back in March when fourth behind Tiger Roll. If he could recapture that sort of form, then he would have a chance in this field where the conditions of the race are more forgiving as it is a handicap.

3.30 Cheltenham

Off Your Rocco must carry a penalty in the Grade 2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle but it is a great opportunity to show us what he is made of in deeper waters. Elliott’s five-year-old looks highly progressive after emphatic victories at Listowel and Limerick. He will arrive here fit and at the top of his game, and the ground will suit him. This race has typically gone to a horse carrying a bit of weight. It tends to suit a classy enough horse and he could be just that.

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