Gordon Elliott: 'We’re looking forward to going to the DRF for the two-mile now. I can’t wait' Gordon Elliott enjoyed an exceptional Christmas period that delivered 13 winners at Leopardstown and 18 victories in total, a run of form that underlined the strength and depth of his Cullentra operation. Niall Tierney visited the yard this week and got the latest on his horses heading to the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. Elliott said; “It was unbelievable. If you’d written a wish list, you wouldn’t have got it.” “All the horses ran really, really well. Thirteen winners at Leopardstown was unbelievable. We’re absolutely delighted.” The festive success included three Grade One victories and highlighted the changing. “That’s the game we’re in,” he said. “You have the ups and downs - El Cairos falling after the last, and then us getting a Grade One with Skylight Hustle when Joseph’s horse fell.” Can Elliott continue blazing form at the Dublin Racing Festival? Attention now turns to the Dublin Racing Festival, where Ballyfad looks set to line up over two miles after showing plenty of speed at Leopardstown: “He’s in very good form,” Elliott said: “His homework isn’t very fancy, but he seems in very, very good form. He doesn’t show a lot at home, and sometimes they’re the best ones. We’re looking forward to going to the DRF for the two-mile now. I can’t wait.” Stablemate Romeo Coolio remains entered in two contests with Elliott in no rush to commit to a target. “He’ll be left in both races,” he said. “We’ll make a decision as late as we can, or as late as we have to. He’s in good form, there’s no pressure, and we’ll go for whatever race we think is best.” In the juvenile division, Elliott confirmed Mange Tout is firmly on course for the Dublin Racing Festival following her Fairyhouse success. “She’s on track for the juvenile and she’s in good form,” he said. “We have her entered at Doncaster as well, but we’ll split her and Highland Crystal up. They’re both owned by Robcour. Highland Crystal will go to Doncaster, and she’ll stay at home and go to the DRF.” The strength of his Christmas results has encouraged Elliott to send more horses to the Dublin Racing Festival than in some previous seasons. “Last year, we thought we were doing the right thing by giving the horses a bit more time going towards Cheltenham,” he said. “We took our time a bit this year and said we’d have a go at the Dublin Racing Festival. The prize money is very good but we’ve nice horses to run and we’re really looking forward to it.” Watch the full interview
