One of Ireland leading trainers, Gordon Elliott’s runners have to be feared wherever they end up. That statement is perhaps more prevalent when they’re sent across the Irish sea.
In the last five seasons, Elliott has sent 54 runners to Ayr, with eleven of them returning to the winner’s enclosure. That 20% strike-rate has to be feared, and the County Meath based trainer sends three to the venue on Monday.
With all three being fancied in the market, we’ve taken a look into the chances of his trio. The treble pays a tempting 75/1, so good luck if you choose to follow Elliott’s warriors into battle. Don’t forget, we also have horse racing tips for all six meetings, including a NAP and Accumulator tips!
Running well in a pair of bumpers earlier this year, CLASS BISHOP LADY was disappointing on hurdling debut at Killarney earlier this month. Sent off at 7/2, she never looked dangerous and in desperate need of the run.
Given the prices she’s been sent off at thus far, and her attractive pedigree, she’s surely capable of far better. She can only have improved for that opening effort and this looks to be a match race. Her main rival, Whiskey Lullaby, went close on her sole rules start, but that was a bumper.
With Elliott’s charge holding the experience advantage on the step up in distance, she’s got an obvious chance of upsetting the favourite.
From a solely ratings standpoint, CURLEW HILL is the one to beat in this Novices’ Hurdle. He’s rated seven pounds higher than favourite Do Your Job and brings plenty of experience to the table. He was a runaway winner at Kilbeggan three starts ago and bumped into Dewcup at Punchestown subsequently.
Granted, he was a shade disappointing at Downpatrick last time, but that was once again another tough task and he did most of the donkey work trying to fend off an 4/11 favourite.
With his sights lowered, he merits plenty of respect against some useful British rivals.
Winning a pair of hurdling races at Perth last September, HOLY MOTIVATION clearly loves her trips over the Irish Sea. She’s raced over fences in two starts this season, disappointing on both occasions, beaten 76 and 78 lengths respectively.
Her hurdling form suggests she’s capable of far better, however, and she won off this mark at Perth over hurdles last September. She thrives on softer surfaces and Richard Johnson’s record on her reads 2211. With that in mind, this mare has to enter each-way calculations.