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Gordon Elliott: plans for Brighterdayshead, El Cairos and more
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Wed 22 Jul 2026
Gordon Elliott believes the drop down into a handicap for the Guinness Galway Hurdle could be just what El Cairos needs to fulfil his potential.
Elliott had very high hopes for the six-year-old when he was bought out of the David Maxwell dispersal sale for £410,000, and he headed for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham as one of the trainer’s major hopes.
He was only fifth there, however, and only bettered that by one place at Punchestown and begins his handicap career off a mark of 143.
“He seems in good form, we’re very happy with him and he’s working well and I think he’s the type of horse that could suit a Galway Hurdle, coming back from graded races into a handicap,” said Elliott.
“Ultimately you’d have to say he’s been a bit disappointing over hurdles, he hasn’t done what we thought he’d do but I think a race like the Galway Hurdle could suit him, he’s in good form and I imagine Jack Kennedy will ride him.
“He’s working very well I’m hoping having a break will help him as he came straight to us from the sale and didn’t have much of a break. He’s had a few months off now, he’s freshened up and we’re happy with him. We’re looking forward to running him.
“There’s a lot of exposed horses in there looking at it and I’m hoping El Cairos might be still unexposed.”
El Cairos: "a horse that could suit a Galway Hurdle," says trainer Gordon Elliott.
Elliott’s big hope in the Tote Galway Plate is a new recruit in Nowwhatdoyouthink who has joined from Ray Hackett having finished third in Grade One company when last seen.
“We don’t know an awful lot about him. We bought him for an American owner so the plan will be to go to America at some stage,” said Elliott.
“After running in the Galway Plate there’ll be races like the Kerry National and all those sort of races for him.
“I think he’s got a beautiful weight on his back, 10st 4lb, he’s probably our unexposed one in there and he’s ahead of the handicapper which you always need.
“Three Card Brag finished eighth in the race last year and if you go back and watch it he was beaten at the start. I wouldn’t give up on him yet.”
Looking further down the line, Elliott believes he has a strong bunch for the winter season with his preference for star mare Brighterdaysahead to remain over hurdles.
He said: “I think we’ve a very good bunch of winter horses and a not so good bunch of summer horses and that is how it can happen. We’ve invested in a lot of nice horses and I’m really looking forward to the season.
“Brighterdaysahead hasn’t been discussed as yet but I’d be tempted to stay over hurdles. My feeling is if you go chasing now and something went wrong, you’re eight then.
“Swerving Cheltenham altogether might be the right thing to do but we’ll have to see. Two and a half miles seems to be her thing, that’s her trip, but she ran a blinder to finish second in the Champion Hurdle this year. When she gets over two and a half miles she’s a different machine altogether.
“If we box clever there’s two or three Grade Ones to be won with her over the next few years.”
Brighterdaysahead could remain hurdling.
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