irishracing.com | Hong Kong Horse Trainer Gordon Elliott

Sermandzarak galloped out well there: he has a good attitude. I'd say going up in trip definitely suited him, he's tough and he stays galloping. He is a real stayer by the way he ran there, he stays very well.

Navan Sat, 1st Mar, 2025 Swing Davis

Sam thought he might have had Danny (Gilligan on Speculatrix) covered but no doubt Danny will say the same when I talk to him. They are there to be jumped and it was unfortunate for Speculatrix, but Danny and her are up. We will see where we go with Swing Davis, we will see if we can get a bit of black-type with her: she already has it in bumpers.

Punchestown Mon, 24th Feb, 2025 Familiar Dreams

Sam (Ewing) said she wasn’t doing a stroke the whole way. She jumped a lot better there today, so we’re happy. We’ll have a bit of fun with her and mix it between the Flat and jumps. The ground is hard work and Sam said she wasn’t doing a stroke in front but it’s nice to win. She’s in Cheltenham, but I’d imagine we’ll pick and choose where we go with her. I’ll have a chat with the boys and see. She’ll do her job on the Flat as well.

Clonmel Thu, 13th Feb, 2025 Ballybow

To be honest if I was Sam, I’d have followed Ballygunner Castle instead of him following us, and pushed him along. They went no gallop though and it was a no-race, really so that's why he is riding them. They quickened over the last two, but the one thing I do like about our horse, from the second-last to the line - even after the last - he dropped his head and showed a good attitude. We’ll go for the Albert Bartlett now. I think the race could suit him, and he could have an each-way chance in a race like that, with a lead, coming at a few horses.

Navan Sun, 9th Feb, 2025 Better Days Ahead

Better Days Ahead wasn't doing a stroke in front. It wasn't ideal, he needs something to make it. Jordan (Gainford on Three Card Brag) took him along for as long as he could and probably ran a good race in his own right. I was thrilled with Stellar Story. He keeps guessing at his fences and I told Danny (Gilligan) to try and get him around and try to get a bit of confidence into him. He gave him a brilliant ride - probably a bit unlucky. Number one, we had to try and get him around. I'd imagine Brown Advisory for Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story could go Brown Advisory as well. Three Card Brag needed that run to qualify for the Aintree Grand National.

Navan Sun, 9th Feb, 2025 Maxxum

He had a good run in Gowran the last day over three miles, probably didn’t get home,. We thought coming back to that trip today, if he got a soft enough lead, it would work well. Danny gave him a very clever ride and it was great. He did (battle well) – he picked up well, but he got a breather at the right time.

Navan Sun, 9th Feb, 2025 Maxxum

He had a good run in Gowran the last day over three miles, probably didn't get home. We thought coming back to that trip today, if he got a soft enough lead, it would work well. Danny gave him a very clever ride and it was great. He did (battle well) - he picked up well, but he got a breather at the right time. We will probably go Coral Cup now I'd say.

Navan Sun, 9th Feb, 2025 Honesty Policy

He's a nice horse. The further he goes I'd say the better he will be. In fairness, Aubrey (McMahon) bought him out of Pat Doyle's and recommended him to Fran (Mangan, owner), and I was lucky enough that they sent him to me. He had a good run the last day in Naas, and he followed up there today. We have no real plan, but I'd imagine he is going in the right direction. He will be a nice chaser down the road.

Naas Sat, 8th Feb, 2025 Eternal Echo

the winner is a nice horse and shows a bit of pace at home. It’s great to get the support from Maurice Regan of Newtown Anner (Stud, owner), and he’s a horse that could definitely go back and win on the Flat. He could be a dual-purpose horse.

Naas Sat, 8th Feb, 2025 Scalpnagoon

I was a bit worried about the ground, but it was a good performance. He showed a good attitude and is a nice horse. He’s a big strong horse that will jump a fence in time. He’s qualified now for the final of this series at Punchestown and knowing me, he’ll probably run again before then. Michael (Hanrahan, owner) is lucky and anything he sends to us seems to win: you can’t beat a bit of luck.

Fairyhouse Wed, 5th Feb, 2025 Good To Be Alive

he’s a home-bred and we thought he was a bit weak so he’ll probably come on a bit from the run today but it was nice to win. He’s a horse that’s improving and he might not be the worst horse in the world. It’s not ideal winning a maiden hurdle at this time of the year but it’s still not a bad complaint. We’ll have to try and find a novice hurdle for him somewhere.

Fixtures Mar 2025

MIXED

TURF

Sun 9th Mar

Sha Tin (Day)

MIXED

Wed 12th Mar

Happy Valley (Night)