Gordon Elliott: My Saturday and Sunday runners

Will Gordon have a winner at Down Royal on Saturday?

Gordon Elliot talks exclusively to Betfair about his weekend runners at Down Royal, Huntingdon, Cork and Leopardstown. 

Saturday

13:45 Down Royal - Beef To The Heels

He's a couple of pounds out of the handicap so this will be quite tough. He probably should have won at Perth last time but we had to settle for second place to Pas Trop Tard which stayed on better. I've booked the very talented Jane Mangan to ride and she'll take a few pounds off; but this is a competitive race and we are not underestimating how difficult it will be to land some prizemoney. 

14:25 Down Royal - Chicago Grey

We were disappointed when he finished mid-division in a handicap chase at Cheltenham a fortnight ago. He was unfortunate in the Aintree Grand National when brought down at the fifth and it's been a while since he's found himself in the winner's enclosure. The likes of Sizing Europe, Quito De La Roque are highly respected so being realistic, we'd be very happy with a top four finish considering he's one of the rank outsiders of the field.  

15:35 Down Royal - Tarquinius

It was great to see him place in a handicap chase at Punchestown recently as his form has been up and down of late. He's relatively new to the yard and we are still learning about him all the time so I'd be happy to see him run into a place. He's a nice strong horse and can handle tough conditions so the more rain that comes, the better.

Sunday

13:45 Huntingdon - Oscar Hill

He's in great form at home so hopefully that should carry over to the racecourse and he's in with a very good chance. He likes going right-handed so I think the course will suit and you'd have to say that his mark probably looks about right. The hood seems to help and while the likes of Kack Handed and Nether Stream will ensure this is competitive, I reckon our lad has strong claims. 

14:15 Cork - Tharawaat

He carries topweight so this will be tough, but he's a very nice horse and wasn't disgraced when finishing 8th in the Aintree Grand National under a patient ride from Brian O'Connell. He's another one that would prefer more rain to fall and at these weights, I'll be happy to see him place. 

16:05 Leopardstown - Bondage

Tony McCoy steered him to victory in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last time which followed on from a win at Perth so we've been delighted with his progress so far this year. The handicapper might have his measure over timber at the moment but he's a good dual-purpose gelding so it's nice to have other options. It's been over a year since he ran on the level so we can't be sure his recent form will transfer over - but he's one I rate highly so all going well, he should be thereabouts.