Elliott has faith in ‘improving’ Ascot contender The Wallpark

Gordon Elliott will get the festive period under way with two runners at Ascot’s Christmas meeting, including Long Walk Hurdle contender The Wallpark.

A six-year-old now owned by JP McManus, The Wallpark has been on a winning streak since the summer and has been victorious in his last four races.

The most recent of those wins came in a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier at Cheltenham in October, where he defeated Gowel Road by two and a half lengths after stepping up to three miles.

His Ascot outing will be over the same trip but is a sharp step up in class to Grade One level, something Elliott is hoping is within his capabilities.

“In fairness to him, he doesn’t do anything fancy at home but he just keeps winning,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“He’s got a good attitude and he’s probably never been as well. I thought he was very good at Cheltenham the last day, he hit the line strong.

“He’s going to have to improve to win a Long Walk Hurdle but he’s an improving horse and we don’t know where he’s going to end up.

“I don’t really mind (the ground) to be honest, as long as it’s not one of the two extremes – very quick or very, very soft.”

A crack at the Stayers’ Hurdle would be the ultimate ambition and Elliott added: “If he wins a Long Walk Hurdle, then he’s a Grade One winner, so that’s the route we’ll be going.

“It’s not a bad race, you’ve got Olly’s horse (Strong Leader) and Fergal O’Brien’s (Crambo), and Dan (Skelton) and Paul (Nicholls) have got a few.

“Our horse knows how to win and he’s in good form, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Joining him on the ferry from Ireland will be stablemate Fil Dor, who will line up for the Howden Graduation Chase over two miles and five furlongs.

The grey started his season with a second-placed run in the Clonmel Oil Chase, after which he was a facile Listed winner in a Thurles match race.

“He comes over, he’s not too far out on ratings,” Elliott said.

“It was only a two-runner race the last day but I thought he jumped well, if he can get back to the same sort of form he was in this time last year, then I think he’ll have a massive chance.

“He worked after the racing at Navan on Sunday and I was happy with him.”