Gordon Elliott to have first British Flat runner of the season at Chester on Friday 👀

Gordon Elliott regularly raids Britain with his jumpers but his Flat runners on these shores are much more infrequent. He is yet to have a runner over here on the level this season but that could be about to change on Friday. Elliott is set to have just his fourth ever runner at Chester and the market suggests the horse has every chance. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

4.20 Chester

By Your Side is set to run in the apprentice handicap, the penultimate race on the card. The most interesting aspect of this entry is the fact that man of the moment Billy Loughnane has been booked for the ride. Loughnane has been riding plenty of winners and made a big name for himself in the process. This could prove to be a deadly combination as one of the best trainers around is teaming up with one of the finest jockey prospects.

Elliott’s gelding has been progressive over hurdles this spring and broke his duck at Naas back in March. Two excellent placed efforts in handicaps at Cheltenham and Punchestown followed, meaning he arrives here in good form. Previously trained by Ed Dunlop, he won a handicap at Windsor over a mile on soft ground by a wide margin, for his old trainer.

His hurdles form suggests this extended 1m4f shouldn’t be a problem but he is yet to race over this far on the level. Making his Flat debut for Elliott here, the market is currently suggesting that a big run could be on the cards. The rarity of Gordon Elliott-trained runners at Chester would suggest that connections aren’t coming here for a day out.

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