Over the intensive four-day Christmas period, from December 26 to 29 inclusive, Gordon Elliott prepared the winners of 18 races, 10 of those at Leopardstown. All this from a total of 77 runners at nine meetings, so a winning strike-rate of 23% at the most packed and competitive time of the year. Phenomenal stuff, really.
Obviously detailing all these successes would take more space than we have here but a few stood out, especially the Grade 1 hat-trick at Leopardstown: Romeo Coolio in the 2m novice chase where he ground out the win late, Teahupoo in the 3m Christmas Hurdle and Skylight Hustle in the 2m novice hurdle, all of which were ridden by Dingle’s Jack Kennedy who has surged right into contention for champion jockey honours. Throw in Grade 2 and Grade 3 wins and a 66-1 winner of the Paddy Power Chase in Favori De Champdou and you have a tidy few days’ work for the Cullentra trainer.
Unsurprisingly, however, Elliott dismissed talk of a maiden trainers’ championship.
“When you’re training against that man Willie Mullins, we have absolutely no chance of beating him. I just want to keep doing what I am doing, keep training winners and doing my best. We just have a nice bunch of horses at the moment and things are great,” the trainer told Racing TV.
Elliott added five more winners – four in maiden hurdles and one in a bumper - at Fairyhouse, Punchestown and Tramore either side of New Year’s Day.
On Monday, January 5, Elliott stood €900,000 clear of perennial champion Willie Mullins with four of the months of the campaign still to run before it closes on Saturday, May 2 at Punchestown.
Jockey Kennedy was on 74 winners, two behind rival Darragh O’Keeffe at the summit of the jockeys’ championship at the same time and 30 wins clear of Paul Townend in third.
Elsewhere, Changeyourstars provided a handy winner to the James King yard in Glenbane, Tipperary in the mares maiden hurdle, the opener of the second day of Limerick’s festival. A strong ride from Tralee rider Philip Enright meant the 10-1 chance had half a length to spare at the line from Galileo Dame, the 6-4 favourite from the Joseph O’Brien stable.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Clonmel Thursday January 8 (first race 12.20pm)
Naas (rescheduled) Friday January 9 (first race 12.45pm)
Dundalk Friday January 9 (first race 430pm)
Fairyhouse Saturday January 10 (first race 12.00pm)
Punchestown Sunday January 11 (first race 12.20pm)
