#AskGordon Reveals Elliott Festival Clues

A very fun and lively Q&A session via Betfair Racing’s Twitter feed last night gave people the opportunity to interact with Gordon Elliott and ask him any question they felt like asking, some of which were ignored and some of which were answered. The Cheltenham Festival is just two weeks away so now is a good time to get the word on the stable’s horses – find our Cheltenham tips here. Some of these clues can be very helpful for punters who may be looking for an ante post bet or a value longshot, or one to keep away from too. Let’s take a look at the horses in question in alphabetical order, enjoy!

Apple’s Jade

Q – Is there any chance Apple’s Jade will run in the Champion Hurdle?

A – Mares Hurdle.

Q – How has Apple’s Jade come out of her race v Limini – do u think she has come on nicely for the run?

A – Came out of the race very well and we are looking forward to Cheltenham with her.

Q – After Cheltenham would you consider Apple’s Jade for the Aintree Hurdle?

A – It’s a possibility.

Q – Do you think Apple’s jade under performed against Limini?

A – Beaten by a very good mare.

Automated

Q – Dark horse for the festival Gordon?

A – Automated in the Coral Cup.

Ball D’Arc

Q – Is Ball D’Arc going to hunt for place money in the Arkle?

A – No, staying at home.

Baltazar D’Allier

Q – Is Baltazar D’allier put away for a chasing campaign next year or will we see him again this year?

A – Will have another run over hurdles, probably Navan in a few weeks. Will make a nice Chaser next year.

Barra

Q – Where does Barra go?

A – Mares Novice Hurdle.

Blood Crazed Tiger

Q – Where is Blood Crazed Tiger likely to be aimed?

A – Neptune.

Blow By Blow & Lucky Pass

Q – Are Blow By Blow or Lucky Pass running at Cheltenham?

A – Neither will be running at Cheltenham.

Q – When will we see Blow By Blow on a racetrack?

A – Wont jump a hurdle at this stage of the season so probably next season.

Q – What are Blow By Blow’s spring plans?

A – Nothing at the moment.

Q – Will Blow By Blow win the 2018 Albert Bartlett?

A – That’s a nice thought.

Breakfast Roll

Q – Do you put red sauce on your jumbo breakfast roll?

A – Porridge for me.

Brelade

Q – Is Brelade likely to go to the Neptune or Handicaps at the festival?

A – We will see what Phil Smith does and make our decision this week.

Campeador

Q – When will Campeador be back Gordon? Looks like a serious horse if getting round safely.

A – Probably next season at this stage.

Captain K

Q – Quickest horse at home?

A – Captain K #PureSpeed

Cause Of Causes

Q – Does Cause of Causes go straight to the Grand National?

A – X-country race at Cheltenham all being well.

Champion Bumper

Q – Anything for the Champion Bumper?

A – No runner.

Death Duty

Q – Would you say Death Duty is 100% going Albert Bartlett?

A – Yes. 110%.

Q – What horses’ excite you most for novice chasing next year?

A – Death Duty.

Q – Which horse has the best of winning for you at Cheltenham?

A – Death Duty hopefully.

Q – What’s your strongest chance of a festival winner? Is there a horse in particular that stands out?

A – Again, Death Duty.

Q – How is Death Duty at the minute?

A – Great form.

Desoto County

Q – Where’s Desoto County being aimed? No entries at Cheltenham.

A – Out for the season.

Diamond King

Q – Is Diamond King on target for the Browne Advisory?

A – Yeah & I’m very happy with his prep. Looking forward to a bit of good ground with him.

Q – Is Diamond King going for a handicap?

A – In great form and heading for the Browne Advisory.

Dinaria Des Obeaux

Q – Dinaria Des Obeaux for the Fred Winter?

A – See what Phil Smith does.

Douvan

Q – Which horse going to this years Cheltenham Festival would you like to be part of your stable?

A – Obviously Douvan.

Q – Which horse, not in your stable, would you most like to train that’s heading to Cheltenham Festival?

A – Douvan.

Duca De Thaix

Q – Is Duca De Thaix going to the Triumph?

A – No.

Empire Of Dirt

Q – What’s the plan for Empire Of Dirt?

A – Ryanair.

Fayonagh

Q – Will Fayonagh run in the bumper at the festival?

A – Entered but will probably run in the Sandown mares bumper on Imperial Cup day.

Fred Winter & Martin Pipe

Q – Who are you planning on running in the Fred Winter and Martin Pipe?

A – Martin Pipe The Storyteller and Fred Winter Dinaria Des Obeaux.

Gold Cup & Exciting Prospect

Q – Do you have any exciting horses running in the next few weeks? Who wins the Gold Cup?

A – One of my Gigginstown runners in the Gold Cup & Cracking Smart in the coming weeks.

Grand National

Q – What will you leave in the Grand National tomorrow?

A – Cause of Causes, Bless The Wings, Ucello Conti & Lord Scoundrel.

How Many Cheltenham Runners?

Q – You mentioned 30 runners for the Festival at Naas yesterday – I presume that’s the Tuesday only?

A – All being well we will have about 30 runners over the 4 days.

Icario

Q – Is Icario definitely going to the Fred Winter?

A – No, won’t run.

Labaik

Q – Any chance they’ll take a gamble on Labaik in the Supreme still and pray he jumps off?

A – Looks very doubtful but if he jumped off he’d have a chance. Serious engine.

Q – What is the next step with labaik? Any “alternative treatment” available for a horse like him?

A – Trying all we can at home probably going to Naas for a hurdle race Sunday week. #Frustrating

Mala Beach

Q – Where’s Mala Beach?

A – Out for the season, hoping to have him back in full health next season.

Mick Jazz

Q – Sum up the chances of Mick Jazz in the County Hurdle?

A – Must have a great chance after his last run, hopeful.

Minella Till Dawn

Q – Will Minella Till Dawn run again this season please? Looks a lovely horse for the future.

A – Nice horse and will run in another novice hurdle in the near future all being well.

Poli Roi

Q – When will we next see Poli Roi?

A – Bumper in Fairyhouse at Easter.

Rightdownthemiddle

Q – Rightdownthemiddle has plenty of potential targets. Which is the most likely at this stage?

A – Irish Grand National.

Samcro

Q – Does Samcro definitely miss the festival?

A – Yep, Punchestown or Fairyhouse with him.

Shattered Love

Q – Shattered Love going to Mares Novice? Chance?

A – No, Neptune with a live chance.

Sire Du Berlais

Q – Will Sire Du Berlais be running at the festival? If so which race seems most likely at this point?

A – No plans to run at the festival.

Squouateur

Q – Hi Gordon, what are the plans for Squouateur? Will he go to Cheltenham, if so which race?

A – Still no plans finalised.

Sutton Place

Q – What plans are in place for Sutton Place?

A – Not Cheltenham but could head to Aintree or Fairyhouse at Easter.

Tell Us More

Q – Will Tell Us More run in the Champion Chase?

A – Has an entry but may run in the County Hurdle.

The Storyteller

Q – If/when The Storyteller doesn’t get into the Martin Pipe, where will he run?

A – If he doesn’t get into the Martin Pipe, it will probably be the Coral Cup.

Tocororo

Q – Two of yours I like are Baltazar D’Allier & Tocororo. Are they ok? What are the plans?

A – Tocororo at stud, Baltazar to Navan.

Tombstone

Q – How good is Tombstone?

A – Good horse who has earned his inclusion in the Champion but chasing is going to be his game.

Q – How do you rate Tombstone’s chance in the Champion Hurdle?

A – Good each way chance.

Top Trainer

Q – I think you have a great chance of being top trainer at the festival do you share my prediction?

A – Hard to beat Willie but will give it a good go.

Tycoon Prince

Q – Is Tycoon Prince going to Cheltenham and if so what race?

A – Not travelling.

Betfair Racing will have another Q&A session with Paul Nicholls tonight at 7pm and we will be doing an article to fill you in with all the latest stable information so stay tuned.

The big four races at Cheltenham Festival are known as the “Championship Races” and we will have tips, previews and trends for all 4! We are now just two weeks from the festival #Excitement

Tuesday – Champion Hurdle

Wednesday – Champion Chase

Thursday – Stayers’ Hurdle

Friday – Cheltenham Gold Cup