Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Elliott sends strong team to Punchestown
Elliott sends strong team to Punchestown
Gordon Elliott
© Photo Healy Racing
Kuiper Belt has been a revelation since joining Gordon Elliott and looks the part in the E30 Winter Warmer Bundle Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.
The four-year-old gelding, who is rated 123, is in a rich vein of form after winning five of his last six races for Elliott, including a couple on the Flat.
Indeed, it would have been six out six but for being demoted to second in the valuable Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel.
He delivered over this two-and-a-half-mile trip when last seen at Clonmel and ought to take plenty of beating.
Edward O’Grady’s Slippery Serpent looks a likely danger as the form of his runner-up finish in Listowel has been franked.
Elliott has landed the Punchestown Members Club Maiden for the last two years which indicates multiple Flat winner Batts Rock will be well tuned up for his jumping debut.
The handler also saddles Empire Burleque, who was last seen finishing unplaced in a Grade Two bumper.
There should be plenty to come from this son of Cape Cross in his hurdling career as he has already tasted success in point-to-point company and in a bumper.
Elliott also has prospects with Silver Star in the Irish National Stud Handicap Hurdle after his victory at Downpatrick on Friday.
He has 12st 4lb on his back, though, and will have a tough task conceding 18lb to an in-form Bay Hill
Shankly’s Dawn is chasing a hat-trick when she lines up for the Ingoldsby (Q.R.) Handicap Chase.
She could be given plenty to do by Hitdroadjack who was still in contention when unseating at Fairyhouse on Saturday. It is no surprise to see him turned out again quickly.
Willie Mullins takes the wraps off Golazo in the Punchestown Winter Festival Flat Race and he is sure to be popular.
The son of Beat Hollow ought to relish the decent ground on offer.