Tag Archive for: Gordon Elliott

Three Card Brag team looking forward to chasing campaign

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Connections are keen to take the positives from Three Card Brag’s fifth-placed finish in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.

Stepped up to three miles for the first time, the Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old was sent off 4-1 second-favourite for the Grade One event on Gold Cup day.

However, despite travelling kindly throughout for Adrian Heskin and finding himself in a prime position to challenge as the protagonists rounded the home turn, Three Card Brag was unable to go on as the lung-busting scramble up the Cheltenham hill ensued and finished five and a half lengths adrift of the winner Stay Away Fay.

What might have been if the race had been run on any other day of the Festival will never be known – with drying conditions on the final day going against their charge. However, hopes are high he can return to Prestbury Park and make his mark at the big meeting in the future.

“He ran well and it was perhaps slightly frustrating he wasn’t in the first four,” said Iain Turner, racing manager for the McNeill family – who own Three Card Brag along with Patrick and Scott Bryceland.

“We were happy with Three Card and we probably couldn’t have done anything different with him.

“If there was a slight frustration it is you forget how quickly Cheltenham dries and we could have done with some of that ground they were going through on the Thursday. Some of that rain they were talking about for Thursday evening and Friday morning never really arrived.

Three Card Brag at Cheltenham
Three Card Brag at Cheltenham (Steven Paston/PA)

“He ran very well and with credit. Adrian was very happy with him over the three miles and said he felt an easier ride.

“Also promising, with the future in mind, is that he took the journey over and the travel well and then handled the track – everything which goes with a Festival race – which is all a positive for if we are to return in future seasons.”

Thoughts are already turning to next season and hopes are high Three Card Brag will rank high amongst the next cohort of novice chasers.

However, with both Aintree and Punchestown still to come, there is the possibility his novice hurdling endeavours are not fully finished, with a drop back to two and a half miles for the valuable Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final a tempting proposition during the Kildare venue’s five-day Festival next month.

“I don’t think you would be writing off going to either Punchestown or Aintree and he does have the option of dropping back in trip for the Red Mills Final which he qualified for at Galway right back at the beginning of the season,” said Turner.

“He still has the option of running in that race and there isn’t much difference in prize money between that and one of the graded races. But we will leave it up to Gordon. He came out of the race at Cheltenham fine and we’ll just see how he gets on over the next few weeks.

“If he doesn’t run again, he doesn’t owe us anything – he’s won a couple, placed in a couple of graded races then finished fifth at the Festival.

“He’s had a good season and we’re looking forward to novice chasing with him. He looks an exciting one for chasing next year, so fingers crossed he stays sound and then we’ve something to look forward to over fences.”

No National tilt for Conflated this year, with Bowl the plan at Aintree

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Conflated will attempt to go one place better than last year’s second in the Aintree Bowl following his fine performance to finish third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Taking part in the blue riband for the first time, Gordon Elliott’s Irish Gold Cup and Savills Chase hero ran a stormer in the hands of Sam Ewing – still well in the mix at two out and only giving way to the high-class front two of Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame in the closing stages.

The nine-year-old holds an entry for the Randox Grand National on April 15 with his Cullentra House handler stating he would love to have a crack at the £500,000 contest with what he believes is “one of the best-handicapped horses in the race.”

However, owners Gigginstown House Stud are preferring to hold fire on a National tilt for this year in favour of another attempt at the opening day three-mile Grade One in which Conflated finished a length second to Clan Des Obeaux 12 months ago.

“It was a fantastic run (in the Gold Cup), we were thrilled with the performance and it was a great ride,” said Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O’Leary.

“He’s a very nice horse and two very good horses beat us. But we know we have a nice horse and we’ll enjoy him while he’s around.”

When asked about the possibility of running in the National, he added: “I would say maybe next year and this year all being well he will go back to Aintree for the Bowl.

“I know Gordon says he’s well handicapped and he may well be, but if he goes back to the Bowl, hopefully we won’t meet the Gold cup first or second there. He’s better going left-handed so we would rather go to Aintree than Punchestown.”

Conflated may have to bide his time to represent the leading owners in the world’s most famous steeplechase, but one assured of his place on the teamsheet is last year’s third Delta Work.

Cheltenham Festival 2023 – Festival Wednesday – Cheltenham Racecourse
Delta Work ridden by jockey Keith Donoghue on their way to winning the Glenfarclas Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival (Tim Goode/PA)

He was sent off at 10-1 in last year’s race and despite being slowly away, took well to the challenge and was smuggled into the race under a patient ride from Jack Kennedy to stay on for a place on the podium.

The 10-year-old will now return to Merseyside off a 1lb lower mark and with one of his spring targets already secured, having defended his Glenfarclas Chase title at the Cheltenham Festival.

“The plan all year was the cross-country and then Grand National,” continued O’Leary.

“They were his two main targets and he’s got one in the bank. Now we’ll have a go at the second one all going well and as long as Gordon is happy.

“He missed the start last year which is really important for him as he doesn’t like horses around him. He had a ruck of horses around him, but ran a fantastic race to be third and hopefully he will get away better this year and give himself a chance.”

I’d run Conflated in the National if he was mine, says Elliott

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Gordon Elliott would love to see Conflated take his chance in the Randox Grand National – but does not expect to see the Irish Gold Cup winner line up in the Aintree marathon.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned nine-year-old backed up his Leopardstown Savills Chase success with a fine run in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday, finishing third to Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame. A further length and a quarter back in fourth was 2022 National hero Noble Yeats.

Conflated is no stranger to Aintree, having been second to Clan Des Obeaux in the Bowl 12 months ago.

A big thumbs up from owner Michael O'Leary after Conflated's Irish Gold Cup victory
A big thumbs up from owner Michael O’Leary after Conflated’s Irish Gold Cup victory (Niall Carson/PA)

Elliott said: “He could go back to Aintree.

“If he was mine, he would run in the Grand National – I think he’s one of the best-handicapped horses in the race, but I don’t think I’ll get my way!”

Also in the mix for Aintree is Gerri Colombe, who finished off the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in tremendous fashion but was a short-head down on The Real Whacker at the line.

“He is (still a top-class prospect). It just didn’t happen for him on the day,” said the Cullentra handler.

“You could see him in Aintree for the three-miler (Mildmay Novices’ Chase).”

Another on the team for Liverpool could be Mighty Potter, who was third to Stage Star in the Turners Novices’ Chase as the odds-on favourite.

Elliott said: “He was a little bit stiff. He’s had a trot this morning.

“All being well, he could have Aintree, Fairyhouse for the Powers Gold Cup, or Punchestown.

“We’ll see how he is at the end of the week.”

Sire Du Berlais is a Festival hero once again

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Sire Du Berlais ground down Dashel Drasher late on in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle as the big-race outsiders fought out a thrilling finish to the Cheltenham Festival’s day three feature.

At one stage it looked as if Flooring Porter was about to join the Festival immortals and secure his third straight victory in the race, but his tank emptied quicker than in the previous two years and he was passed heading to the last by Dashel Drasher who set sail for home in the hands of Rex Dingle.

A length to the good jumping the final flight, Jeremy Scott’s admirable 10-year-old stuck his head down as the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Sire Du Berlais and Teahupoo were breathing down his neck.

But while the 5-2 favourite could not get by in the hands of Davy Russell, Dashel Drasher had no answer to the late thrust of the JP McManus-owned 33-1 shot who edged his way to a three-quarters of a length verdict.

Dashel Drasher was a brave second at 40-1 and Teahupoo a further neck back in third – but there was a change to the placings in the stewards’ room as it was deemed Dashel Drasher had caused interference at the last that was sufficient to deny Teahupoo second spot.

A runner-up behind Flooring Porter in this in 2021 and also a dual winner of the Pertemps in both 2019 and 2020, the 11-year-old Sire Du Berlais was somewhat the forgotten horse of the race and handed Cullentra House handler Elliott his first victory in this premier staying hurdling contest.

Elliott said: “After a hurdle or two I knew he was in a good rhythm. Of course it’s a surprise, but Sire Du Berlais can do that – he’s either first or last.

“He stayed on well up the hill in fairness to him and Mark (Walsh) gave him a brilliant ride.

Connections with Sire Du Berlais
Connections with Sire Du Berlais (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It’s great to win the race. We were beaten a short head in a Grade One yesterday (with Gerri Colombe), but it’s a great game and it’s great to be here.

“We couldn’t get him qualified for the Pertemps Final. It just didn’t work out for us with ground one day and he probably didn’t look that well handicapped.

“He doesn’t do anything too exciting as he minds himself, but that’s why he’s still going at his age.

“I thought Teahupoo would win. He travelled into it and ran well.”

Walsh has had a bad run of luck with injuries but made it back in time for Cheltenham.

“It was a bit of a rush to get back, but thankfully I got back with the help of all the surgeons and doctors,” he said. “I fractured vertebrae in my neck at the Dublin Racing Festival, but it healed quick so I’m back.

“He is brilliant and he loves this place. He never knows when he is beaten. A good gallop suited and he travelled great for him, as usually he can be on and off the bridle but he travelled great and jumped great.

“Gordon had him spot on today so all credit to him. He loves it around here and he is a joy to ride so it is brilliant to win on him.

“They always say horses for courses and he loves it here and it is great to get a big one on him today. I’m delighted he was able to be here and take part in this and win it. It is great to get another big one at the Festival.”

McManus said: “I thought he ran well in Navan the last day as he was giving a lot of weight away and was running on well at the end. I thought he deserved to take his chance.

JP McManus and Gordon Elliott
JP McManus and Gordon Elliott (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I’ve not had too many 33-1 winners here. Creon won at a big price, as did Kadoun (both 50-1 in the Pertemps Final). This fellow I’m afraid went unbacked! We’ll enjoy it just the same.

“Gordon has done some job on the horse. We were kind of training him for the Pertemps, but he didn’t get qualified and as a result he was in the Stayers’.

“I must say I thought he had a little chance and after the last I felt he would run up the hill well and give it his lot.”

Scott, speaking before Dashel Drasher was placed third, said: “We came here but we weren’t necessarily thinking we belonged here as we hadn’t had the easiest lead into the race, but he just started bouncing again so we came.

“I’m delighted. Obviously I would have loved to have finished in the other spot, but I’m very proud of him.

“It’s the first time my wife has come to watch him and she bred him and quite frankly does most of the training so it was lovely to have her here.”

Russell said of Teahupoo: “He jumped great, he missed the second-last but I didn’t need it as I wasn’t under pressure.

“I just couldn’t get upsides Dashel Drasher in the straight, he kept going left then right and if I’d got upsides him I might have been all right.

“Off the back of the last he just kept going the same pace but he’s run a lovely race, he’s only six. I’d say Gordon’s a lot happier with this result than I am!”

Gavin Cromwell said of the defending champion Flooring Porter: “He looked his old self, he went a right good gallop, Danny (Mullins) just felt he couldn’t get a breather into him but he ran a good, solid race.

“He ran a gallant race, five or six weeks ago it wasn’t looking like we’d be here but the last three weeks I was confident he’d run a solid race.”

Delta Work edges Galvin in Elliott cross-country domination

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Delta Work defended his Glenfarclas Chase title as Gordon Elliott won the Cheltenham Festival cross-country feature for the fifth time in seven years.

Last year Delta Work had to play the role of pantomime villain as he spoiled the retirement party of Tiger Roll by edging out the dual Grand National winner in a thriller.

But this time around he was the people’s favourite, with the 10-year-old was sent off the heavily-backed 11-10 market leader.

Kept in the perfect place throughout by Keith Donoghue, he edged his way to the lead shortly after jumping the Aintree fence for the final time.

Delta Work was soon joined at the head of proceedings by stablemate and 11-4 second-favourite Galvin and it was soon obvious the classy Elliott duo were the only ones with a real chance of taking home the first prize.

Matching strides approaching the last, Donoghue always looked to be holding on to that little bit more than Davy Russell aboard Galvin and so it proved in the closing stages as Delta Work came home with a two-and-a-half-length advantage.

Donoghue was picking up his fourth victory in the race having steered Tiger Roll to success in 2018, 19 and 21, while both the winner and runner-up will now head to Aintree for the Randox Grand National.

Betfair make Delta Work 14-1 from 20-1, while Galvin is 16-1 from 25s for success in Liverpool on April 15.

Elliott said: “I love the cross-country race. It was great to have the one-two and see Galvin run a great race because he will come on for it.

Keith Donoghue returns in victory
Keith Donoghue returns in victory (Tim Goode/PA)

“I’m pleased for Keith who is having his best ever season, but Jack (Kennedy, injured stable jockey) is a team player and he’s here lending his support. Jack will be back on these horses when he’s passed fit to return.

“Both horses will now go for the Grand National.”

He added: “I hoped it would be Delta’s day, to be honest, but really I don’t care what wins as I just love having winners.”

Successful owner Michael O’Leary said: “He has been a great horse around Cheltenham. He won a Pertemps here one year and that is his second cross-country chase win and it is wonderful to have a winner around here. It is a great training performance by Gordon to win that race again.

“Every winner at the Festival is a big winner. It is so hard to win races here. Gordon and the team at Cullentra (House) are one of the top teams and we are privileged to have days like this and winners like Delta.

“I was devastated 12 months ago (after beating Tiger Roll) and I was like ‘kick him out’ (said tongue in cheek), but now I’m very grateful. I thought Galvin was going easier and Davy was tracking us the whole way. Galvin is a very good horse and he is owned by Ronnie Bartlett, who is a very good friend of mine, and if it wasn’t going to be won by us I would have liked to have seen Ronnie win it as at least it was going to stay at Gordon’s.

“I used to be the most critical of this cros-country race and why do we bother. When you are struggling for a winner at Cheltenham I will take the cross-country, the Martin Pipe, anything at all. It is not everyone’s cup of tea, but a winner at the Festival is a winner.

“Some horses take to it and some don’t. Tiger took to it and Delta has taken to it well again. It (the National) will be on the agenda, but I have won the Grand National three times already and no owner I think has won it more than three times so I’ve had my fill.

“He will go to Aintree, but will he win, no he won’t.”

‘Everything is so easy to him’ – Elliott full of hope with Mighty Potter

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Mighty Potter bids to extend his faultless chasing copybook and advertise his potential superstar quality when he goes for gold in the Turners Novices’ Chase.

Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old has won all three starts over the bigger obstacles and backed up his Drinmore success with another top-class victory in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival, accounting for Adamantly Chosen by eight and a half lengths.

That marked him out as a possible Gold Cup horse in the making, and Elliott is full of hope heading into his biggest test yet at Cheltenham on Thursday.

Elliott said: “I don’t think you could be anything but impressed with him in Leopardstown – he looks the real thing. I loved how, coming by the line, he was only getting into top gear really.

“We won’t start leaping up and down about him yet and we’ll let him do the talking, but I wouldn’t mind having a few more like him.”

Those looking for a chink in the favourite’s armour will point to his sole visit to Prestbury Park, when pulled up behind Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last March.

“He’s a big horse now, but he was every bit as big last year and gangly,” added Elliott. “If you look at the Supreme last year, he just never got into a rhythm and I think he landed on top of a hurdle and it was all over then.

“Everything is so easy to him. Even at home he’s kind of a big baby still, but he’s exciting. I couldn’t be more happy with him.

“He was never happy in the Supreme last year. He was beaten after a mile. I suppose it’s always a concern, but he’s a very relaxed horse and a year older.

“I don’t think he’s been properly opened up yet. He’s just a relentless galloper.”

A big danger to Mighty Potter would have been Banbridge, but Joseph O’Brien had voiced ground fears and he was withdrawn on Thursday morning.

Nicky Henderson feels there is more to come from Balco Coastal
Nicky Henderson feels there is more to come from Balco Coastal (John Walton/PA)

Nicky Henderson saddles Balco Coastal, who won a decent novices’ handicap chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and then chased home Gerri Colombe when narrowly defeated in the Scilly Isles at Sandown.

The Seven Barrows trainer feels the seven-year-old is an assured jumper and can be a leading player.

He said: “He didn’t do much wrong and I think there is a bit of improvement to come.

“I just wondered if he had a right good blow. I thought he’d gone and won the race, to be honest with you. I just think there is a little bit more to come. I’m not quite sure where from, but I do.

“It looks quite a good division, but I think he is entitled to take his chance.

“I just think he got outstayed at Sandown. We’ve quickened up from the bend to the second-last and it just sort of came at him again a bit.

“We might wait a bit longer. He loves being up there and he jumps very well.”

Stage Star has proven himself at Cheltenham this term
Stage Star has proven himself at Cheltenham this term (David Davies/PA)

Few trainers went into the meeting in better form than champion Paul Nicholls and Stage Star, a top-class hurdler last term, has done little wrong in four starts over fences, winning three times.

His only reverse came in a Grade Two at Newbury in November, when the ground was deemed too quick and he has won twice subsequently, including at Cheltenham last time.

“He is a progressive horse and won very well the other day,” Nicholls said. “He has been a grand horse this year and won at Plumpton, making all, after Christmas, then won very nicely at Cheltenham off top-weight.

“He stayed on strong the last time and he is a progressive horse, but these are good races and you can run really well and finish third or fourth.

“Another summer on him and he will be a smart horse to go looking at better chases over here.”

Corach Rambler is the Ultima hero once again

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Corach Rambler enhanced his claims for the Randox Grand National when becoming the fourth back-to-back winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Lucinda Russell’s 6-1 favourite pounced late to land the Cheltenham Festival spoils 12 months ago and was ridden cold once again by Derek Fox.

Always travelling easily for the National-winning pilot, the enigmatic nine-year-old was coaxed into contention as the race began to unfold and was then asked to join the party jumping the last – from where he knuckled down gamely to stay on to the line, holding off Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow to extend the dominance of British-trained horses in this race.

He will now head to Aintree on April 15 and was made the 7-1 joint-favourite for the Merseyside marathon by Betfair, while William Hill go further with Corach Rambler their 6-1 favourite, cut from 10s.

Russell’s partner and assistant Peter Scudamore said: “It’s a great thrill. I do appreciate how incredibly fortunate I am and if a bolt of lightning hits me on the way out, I’d die a happy man.

“The funny thing is that his jumping is getting better and he was closer than last year.

“All Derek wants to do is go out there and ride and that is the mark of the man.”

Russell added: “It’s such a special pleasure to be here and to watch the horse enjoying himself.

“The track is so stiff but he picked up speed round the corner. It was phenomenal.

“When he hits the front he pulls himself up a bit – it’s just magic that you can have a runner here, let alone a winner.

“He will now go the Aintree for the National. He deserves to have a crack and that’s the next step.”

Michael O’Sullivan struck aboard Jazzy Matty in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle to cap a fine opening day for the young rider who earlier took the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale.

Jazzy Matty ridden by Michael O’Sullivan on their way to winning the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
Jazzy Matty ridden by Michael O’Sullivan on their way to winning the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival (Mike Egerton/PA)

The 18-1 scorer led home an all-Irish one-two-three-four to get Gordon Elliott off the mark for the week.

Elliott said: “I’m absolutely delighted. The horse is a brother to Delta Work, who is obviously a very good chaser for us.

“We knew he had a good enough mark coming over, but we thought he might just lack the experience.

“It is great to get a winner – I thought I might struggle to get a winner today to be honest. We had a few each-way chances, but to pull something out on the first day is unbelievable.”

The Cullentra House handler was also full of praise for the winning rider.

He added: “He doesn’t get that many rides for us, but he comes into the yard every Monday, never says anything, if I give him a ride, I give him a ride.

“I actually thought he claimed five (pounds). I put him down on the horse and I didn’t realise he claimed three (in England). I think he was lucky that if I’d copped it, it might not have happened, but in fairness he gave the horse a brilliant ride. He was slow at the last but didn’t panic. I’m delighted for him.”

O’Sullivan added: “It is unbelievable. Thanks very much to Gordon and the Browns for putting me up on him.

“I suppose I’m claiming 5lb in Ireland but only claiming 3lb here, so I probably lost a couple of rides in handicaps because of that, but in fairness to Gordon, he kept me on him.

“He got a bit of a fright at the first hurdle and was very careful after that. I thought we went very slow and he’s a big horse, so I gave him plenty of room and he travelled everywhere for me. I knew coming to the last I was wrong, but I didn’t want to be confusing him, because he was being careful up until then.

“I was confident enough I had plenty of horse left and I’d say he won with a bit in hand,. He is a nice horse going forward.”

Patrick Mullins won the WellChild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase for the second year in a row aboard his father’s Gaillard Du Mesnil.

Gaillard Du Mesnil ridden by Patrick Mullins wins the WellChild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
Gaillard Du Mesnil ridden by Patrick Mullins wins the WellChild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase on day one of the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old has placed in Grade One company at the last two Festivals, but it looked as if the 10-11 favourite had his work cut out to reel in the forward-going Mahler Mission.

However, John McConnell’s charge tipped up at the second-last to allow Gaillard Du Mesnil to put his stamina to good use and stay on past Chemical Energy in the closing stages.

He was shortened into 12-1 from 16s by Coral for the Grand National, but his handler indicated that race may come too soon in the aftermath.

“I think we were a bit fortunate to be honest with John McConnell’s horse falling, but that’s racing,” said Mullins.

“It was a tough three miles and six furlongs and while we were behind, Patrick thought they’d gone fast enough. I’m very happy.

“I don’t know about Aintree, I don’t know if it will come too soon for him so we’ll see.

“I’m thrilled for the owners, Joe and Marie (Donnelly), they were second in the Champion Hurdle, too.”

Patrick Mullins said: “He jumped a bit high. I think it was the white fences. We had the put in at home and he jumped them high there, too.

“Over that distance you just want them to pop, not expand energy, but after the first circuit he was better.”

Robcour colours to the fore at Naas, ahead of big runners at Cheltenham

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Irish Point put his top-table experience to good use as owners Robcour warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival with a big-race double at Naas on Sunday.

The five-year-old has campaigned respectably at Grade One level since scoring at Cork on debut for Gordon Elliott in November.

He followed that winning bow by finishing a head second to Marine Nationale in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, before picking up another silver medal in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle shortly after the festive period.

Fourth at the Dublin Racing Festival, he proved far superior dropping back in class for the Grade Three Bar One Racing “Guaranteed Overnight Prices” Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle – making most in the hands of Davy Russell to justify 1-4 favouritism.

“They went slow and he was able to do his own thing,” said Ian ‘Busty’ Amond, Elliott’s assistant trainer.

“He wasn’t doing much in front but Davy said he wants that type of ground.

“He was stepping down in grade and it was straightforward for him. It was a bit of a sprint from the second-last.

“He’ll probably go to Aintree and could run over two miles or two and a half.”

Owner Brian Acheson (centre) enjoyed a double at Naas on Sunday
Owner Brian Acheson (centre) enjoyed a double at Naas on Sunday (Brian Lawless/PA)

Brian Acheson will hope to see his colours carried to victory by Irish Point’s stablemates Gerri Colombe and Teahupoo at Prestbury Park next week and promising novice chaser Journey With Me kept up the Robcour momentum when adding the Bar One Racing “Extra Places At Cheltenham” Directors Plate Novice Chase to their Naas haul.

Henry de Bromhead’s seven-year-old – who had opened his fences account over course and distance earlier in the term – was sent off the 8-13 favourite and was given a confident ride by Rachael Blackmore.

Allowed to stride on, he was far from stopping at the back of the last and proved his quality to pull out extra in the closing stages – three lengths clear of runner-up Limerick Lace at the winning post.

“It was a good performance, it wasn’t ideal having to make his own running,” said stable representative Robbie Power.

Journey With Me wins at Naas
Journey With Me wins at Naas (PA)

He’s a bit lairy and didn’t jump as well as he can. I think he was doing too much looking around him.

“When the second horse came to him at the second-last he picked up well and I think he’s a horse that will stay further.

“He’ll either go to Fairyhouse for the Grade 1 novice over two and a half miles or he could go to Aintree or Punchestown for a three-mile Grade One. He’s entitled to take his chance in a Grade One.”

Grange Walk bags Gowran feature and tees up Aintree trip

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Grange Walk teed himself up for a trip to Aintree next month with a clear-cut victory in the Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.

John Ryan’s charge was not done with when falling two fences from home at last month’s Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in the race won by Final Orders and was fitted with blinkers for this €45,000 feature.

Ridden by 5lb claimer Liam Quinlan, Grange Walk proved two and a quarter lengths too strong for runner-up Minx Tiara, with Shakeytry best of the rest in third.

“I thought he was the only horse in the field capable of winning a Grade Two and the rest were handicappers. He’s a bit more than a handicapper,” said Ryan.

“He’s been a bit of an unlucky sort. Liam gave him a tip-top ride – he’s a brave lad over a fence.

“He’ll go to Aintree, the owner wants to go there. He’ll go to a two-mile handicap.

“He’s a proper two-mile chaser and the blinkers probably helped a bit.”

David Christie has stated all along that he feels Ferns Lock is booked for the top and he did nothing to alter his trainer’s thoughts when winning the INHSC Supporting Point-To-Points Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase as a 1-4 favourite should.

Just a six-year-old, Christie felt Cheltenham would come too soon for him this year, and in any case, the trainer plans on fielding last year’s narrow runner-up Winged Leader and ante-post favourite Vaucelet for that event.

Ridden by Barry O’Neill he was soon in a clear advantage and was never off the bridle in the beating Lough Derg Spirit by three and a half lengths.

Winning connections with Ferns Lock
Winning connections with Ferns Lock (Gary Carson/PA)

“At one or two on the far side he was having a look, he went to shorten and I think he actually stood on himself. I see he pulled a shoe,” said O’Neill.

“On that ground he’s travelling away and he wants to get on with it a bit and you only want to be popping away.

“I’ve no doubt in a better race, going a better gallop, maybe you could take a lead and he’ll be 100 percent.

“To be honest he’s so far ahead of everything at the moment you are restricting him a little bit by sitting against him. I’ve no doubt going forward that he’ll be fine.

“He seems to have everything. Everyone was talking about Cheltenham this year but myself and Dave had a good chat earlier in the year and it was just coming a year too soon.

“He’s still only learning, that’s only his sixth run. Next year with a good hunter chase campaign under his belt he’ll be a force to be reckoned with, I think.”

Gordon Elliott and Jordan Gainford teamed up to win division one of the Goresbridge Maiden Hurdle with 11-2 chance Abbeydale, while division two went the way of Ellmarie Holden’s 28-1 shot Karuma Grey, with 7lb claimer Diarmuid Moloney doing the steering.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Lantry Lady dominated her rivals in the Best Of Luck To The Irish At Cheltenham Mares Maiden Hurdle – pulling 14 lengths clear in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.

Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore were among the winners
Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore were among the winners (PA)

De Bromhead and Blackmore doubled up with odds-on favourite Ain’t That A Shame in the Holden Fleet Management Beginners Chase.

Although winless in six previous starts over fences, the nine-year-old has finished second on three occasions including a head defeat in the Munster National at Limerick in October.

Making his first appearance since finishing fourth in Leopardstown’s Paddy Power Chase at Christmas, the 8-13 shot made no mistake, coming home with six lengths in hand over Macs Charm.

Blackmore said: “He deserved to win that race. It was a good performance and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He handles those conditions and it was a perfect race for him. It’s nice to get him off the mark over fences.”

Willie and Patrick Mullins took the closing bumper with £220,000 purchase Tullyhill (4-6 favourite) in the Cheveley Park Stud colours.

“He’s a real decent horse and a horse that I’ve been trying to get out all spring,” said Mullins.

“I was hoping to qualify him for Cheltenham but he just wasn’t right and we waited.

“I think he’s championship class. We’ll look for a winners’ bumper, whether we wait for Punchestown or go for one before that.

“He’s from the top drawer and is another nice horse for Cheveley Park, I think.”

Adamantly Chosen added to Brown Advisory field

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Willie Mullins has supplemented Adamantly Chosen for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

Second to Gordon Elliott’s Mighty Potter in Grade One company at the Dublin Racing Festival over two miles and five furlongs, it appears connections are now keen to step him up to three miles.

He is one of six possibles for Mullins among 14 left in, although that does include Gaillard Du Mesnil, the red-hot favourite for the National Hunt Chase.

Bronn, I Am Maximus, Ramillies and Sir Gerhard complete his sextet.

Gerri Colombe on his way to victory at Sandown
Gerri Colombe on his way to victory at Sandown (Steven Paston/PA)

Elliott’s Gerri Colombe, Patrick Neville’s The Real Whacker and Thyme Hill from Philip Hobbs’ yard all stand their ground along with Dan Skelton’s mare Galia Des Liteaux.

A total of 22 remain in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, eight trained by Mullins.

That does include Facile Vega and Il Etait Temps, both towards the head of the betting for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Stablemate Impaire Et Passe has been heavily backed for the race in recent days, with Gaelic Warrior another with leading claims.

Leading the home team is the Paul Nicholls-trained Hermes Allen, so impressive when winning the Challow Hurdle at Newbury – form which has worked out incredibly well.

Delta Work (right) denied Tiger Roll the perfect send off last year
Delta Work (right) denied Tiger Roll the perfect send off last year (David Davies/PA)

Barry Connell’s Good Land is another major contender.

Delta Work and Galvin give Elliott a very strong hand in the Glenfarclas Chase, while Elliott’s Andy Dufresne is set to carry top weight in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual for which 40 remain, including Gavin Cromwell’s prolific winner Final Orders.

Mullins still has 11 engaged in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper as he seeks to enhance his already incredible record in the race, however, it is John Kiely’s A Dream To Share who heads the ante-post markets.

Camprond, HMS Seahorse and Run For Oscar are among the confirmations for the Coral Cup.