When Gordon Elliott travels over to Scotland, England or Wales, you stand up and take notice. On Thursday, he will have two runners at Sedgefield and both runners have a terrific chance. He has great success at this course with 8 winners from just 21 runners, a whopping 38-per-cent strike rate. Let’s take a closer look at his two entries.
This horse made his debut under rules at Ayr in January. Sent off the 5-4 favourite on the day, he found a subsequent winner Castle Rushen too good for him. That was on bottomless ground so it was a tough assignment first time out. He then ran in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown and won by 15 lengths, a race that was just shy of three miles. Next up was a very decent novice hurdle at Cork where he finished third behind Streets Of Doyen. John McConnell’s runner racked up a four timer including a win at Cheltenham last time so that form looks very strong. The drop back to 2m 5f is a slight concern as he looks a proper stayer but nonetheless he has a massive chance in this.
It could be a great day for the young seven pound claimer Kevin Brogan who also rides this strong favourite. This Zoffany gelding posted six runs for Charles Hills on the Flat, culminating in no win. He looks a completely different prospect over a hurdle though. On debut for Gordon Elliott, he was sent off 13/2 and not a whole lot was expected of him. He routed his rivals at Sligo on that occasion and looks a very bright horse for the yard looking to the future. What was very taking was his fluency over a hurdle. He didn’t put a foot wrong at Sligo which is a sharp undulating course and he should win this.