Gordon Elliott: My thoughts on Torn Asunder at Kilbeggan tonight

Gordon has one runner at Kilbeggan tonight

Gordon Elliott has one runner on this evening's card at Kilbeggan, coming in the shape of Torn Asunder who is on somewhat of a recovery mission after a wayward run at Sligo 11 days ago. Read Gordon's exclusive views on his sole runner at the Co. Westmeath track here...

19.55 Kilbeggan - Torn Asunder

His previous run at Sligo nearly two weeks ago now was a bit of a non-event, even though he was only beaten two lengths into second at the line behind a talented looking mare in the shape of Christy Roche's Sitcom. He ran off the bend before the first hurdle, and stopped to a standstill losing numerous lengths before Davy Condon could get him going again, and he did well to even get competitive again considering what he did and actually looked the likeliest winner at the last (traded at a low of 2.47/5) before being headed close home.

He has always been an easy enough horse to train and we were surprised with what he did on that occasion, but I'd like to think it was a one off as he is a straightforward type of animal so we can just put a line through that run and hope for the best this evening. He was running off an OR of 120 over hurdles at Sligo on that occasion, and we have decided to go over fences this evening as he has always looked like a nice long term chasing prospect and is still only a six-year-old so I'd be hopeful he still has improvement to come.

His first run under any code was in a point-to-point at Bennetsbridge at the start of 2012 which he won nicely, over three miles on soft ground. We then decided to let him strengthen up a bit and campaigned him over hurdles until we thought he was ready to go back over fences. He's in good order now and he's been running well since the turn of the year so we thought it was right time to go chasing with him and we'll see how he gets on.

It looks like a competitive beginner's chase, with Willie Mullins' Rattan and Dessie Hughes' Mackeys Forge setting a decent standard over fences already. I have always maintained that experience in these types of races always counts for a lot, and I'd be happy if our horse could put in a clear round under Barry Geraghty and then we can sit down with the owners and decide where we go next all being well.