Elliott holds strong hand in Galway Galway stages an all National Hunt card today where Gordon Elliott bids to continue his excellent recent record as the Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer sends out five runners. Elliott's knack for finding subsequent winners at low sales prices was highlighted by Orchard Road's win at Clonmel on Thursday and the £2,000 May purchase today contests the swordsecurity.com Handicap Hurdle. The nine-year-old gelding today carries a 6lb penalty but that is mostly offset by his rider Chris Timmons' 5lb claim. Elliott sends out newcomer Canelie in the opening maiden hurdle and Water Sprite in the Faber Audivisuals Handicap Hurdle but also and possibly, more interestingly, sends out a pair of useful looking Gigginstown House Stud-owned runners, Potters Point in the GalwayRaces.com Maiden Hurdle and Champagne Classic in the Pat Dillon Memorial Bumper. Potters Point has his first run for Elliott since leaving Willie Mullins' yard and looks to have strong claims despite proving frustrating last season, while Champagne Classic has his first start for new connections, having created a favourable impression when winning on his only start, in a Kilworth point-to-point in March 2015. Gigginstown's Just Cause, trained by Mouse Morris, is another with leading claims in the SANSERV Rated Novice Chase, having proven himself as a useful sort over fences recently.
