Fil Dor fends off Sharjah in Gowran Trial
Gordon Elliott’s Fil Dor made a winning switch to timber when landing the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park.
Ridden by Jordan Gainford, the grey had previously enjoyed a highly successful hurdling career as a four-year-old – finishing second in Grade One juvenile contests at Cheltenham and Punchestown.
A graduation to fences has not been unsuccessful, with the five-year-old a winner on debut and then third in the Racing Post Novice Chase, but he was well beaten by El Fabiolo in the Irish Arkle when last seen.
On his return to hurdles, Fil Dor was a 4-1 shot in a field of six and was in the company of stablemate Doctor Bravo and 4-7 favourite Sharjah turning for home.
The former horse faded after the final flight, leaving Fil Dor to put his head down and hold off Sharjah for a half-length success.
Fil Dor finds loads for pressure as he gets the better of Sharjah in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle at @GowranPark1 for @gelliott_racing and @GainfordJordan 👊pic.twitter.com/hReiyCTxNb
— Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) February 18, 2023
“He is a smart horse who had a little blip the last day over fences and it is great to see him come back and enjoy it,” said Gainford.
“You could scratch his last run as it wasn’t himself and he got into a lovely rhythm out there today.
“He jumped very well and when it came down to the battle, he saved plenty for it.”
Ian Amond, Elliott’s assistant, added: “He didn’t look like he was in love with the fences the last day, so Gordon and Andy (Brown, of owners Caldwell Construction Ltd) decided to come back over hurdles to get confidence back into him.
“He’ll probably stay down the hurdles route now after today and we’ll see what Gordon says about running at Cheltenham.
“There is plenty of time to go back over fences later on but after winning there, you’d be surprised if he goes back over fences this season.”
Willie Mullins’ Janidil was the winner of the Grade Two Red Mills Chase at 7-2 under Rachael Blackmore.
All eyes were on fellow Mullins inmate and 4-6 favourite Haut En Coleurs, with Capodanno also running for the Closutton team.
However, after taking a wide line amongst a field of four, Janidil returned from a significant absence and put two non-completions at the end of last term behind him to prevail by a length and a quarter from the market leader.
Speaking before Shishkin’s impressive Ascot victory, Mullins said: “It was a nice comeback for Janidil and he was straighter than I thought he was. It puts him right in the Ryanair picture I think and he is a little further advanced that I thought he was on his homework. It was a nice surprise.
“It is always nice to win this Red Mills race and we feed nothing else!”
He added “I thought it was a slow enough pace early on and Rachael got a good tune out of him over the last three fences.
“I am happy enough with Haut En Couleurs as well and whether or not he goes to the Ryanair, I don’t know but we’d have to supplement him for it. That is a possible target but we’ll see.
“The trip was too short for Capodanno and I could have waited until next week for the Bobbyjo Chase, but I wanted to get a run out out of the way quicker. He is in the Gold Cup and is also in Aintree (Grand National) so we’ll have a chat with connections and think about it.”
After watching Shishkin’s Ascot Chase demolition, Mullins told Racing TV: “Looking at Shishkin on the TV, that’s got to put him in as (Ryanair) favourite, that was a huge performance.”
