An action packed weekend for the Gordon Elliott Racing Club began with Clonard Abbey having another Friday night run at Dundalk. There was drama before the race began when booked rider Gary Halpin was ruled out with flu so Kevin Manning had to step in. Not a bad replacement. Manning had her handy out of the stalls and she was looking good to battle for a place as they turned into the home straight in this 7f race but then she got left behind by the leaders and ended up 8th. It was a promising performance and there has been a big improvement since her first run when she fell out of the stalls. Kevin reported that he doesn't think she likes the all weather and probably wants longer also so we'll see where she goes next.
On Saturday, the club had a full day at Fairyhouse with runners in the first, second and last. Davy Russell was onboard our first two with Cornakill Rose up first in a 2m 2f mares race. She made a few mistakes with her jumping and bumped one of her rivals 2 out but she kept on well and narrowly missed out on 4th - Gordon Elliott actually went over to the fourth place stand in the parade ring thinking she was going there. He was very pleased with her as was Davy so hopefully we see her place or win one soon. While Gordon was over with us I asked him if Smiling Eliza was still headed for Cheltenham he said she was if she gets in. Davy was onboard again and he wasn't too hopeful in his analysis of his rides for the club on star sport the day before. In fairness, Smiling Eliza has struggled since Aintree and the 50/1 reflected this. He had her 4th out of 6 as they passed us at the winning line the first time and by the time they started racing from 3 out she was left behind and it looked as though she was going to be pulled up as Davy eased off her but she finished it anyway albeit a long way behind the other Elliott horse, Surin who won it in a thrilling photo finish with Gardens of Babylon. Gordon saw a few of us on his way back from the winners podium and said the plan would be to send Eliza to the Fred Winter at Cheltenham instead of the Triumph Hurdle. Veneer of Charm won it last year for Gordon having only won one hurdle race previously. I booked my first trip to the Cheltenham Festival this week and it would be unbelievable if Eliza was there too. Hopefully she is put away until then and the ground comes up good to firm so we can see the best of her again.
Tapenade is a young gelding who finally made his debut in the bumper. Gordon has really taken his time with him as he had an entry in a Tattersalls bumper at Punchestown last April. The trainer actually wanted softer ground for him but he has been in such good form at home he had to run him. Jordan Williams had the ride and has ridden him before at home. He has a 7lb allowance which took the weight down under 11 st. Jordan had him nicely tucked away for the the first lap and as I headed from the stands to the rail for the finish it looked like he might challenge for a place but that hope was short lived and he battled for 4th but was beaten by a head. It was an excellent run and he will learn a lot from the experience of being bumped all over the shop in the bumper. Tapenade really feels like our horse as he was bought for us and has only run for us. Gordon said he isn't the fastest so maybe he'll be a 3 mile chaser or cross country horse. No update on how they all were after but it was a busy day for the yard and with more racing on Sunday, they'll hardly catch their breath until after the weekend.
It's been a while since I got to see a full days racing and the big race of the day was a 2m 1f chase with the favourite Duca De Thaix taking the spoils. Davy Russell gave him a great ride the whole way round but was pushed to the line by Cubomania, another Elliott horse who has been on the go as long as Eliza but just keeps on getting better in what was my stand out performance of the day. Uisce Beatha looked impressive for Joseph O'Brien and JJ Slevin winning the next and there was great drama in the only other chase of the day when Getaway Kid fell at the last when leading. Brosna George and Paul Townsend won the 3m hurdle easily and Gordon Elliott made it a treble on the day when Run Wild Fred won the bumper on a rare blank day for Willie Mullins.
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