Gordon Elliott: the inside track on my runners over Christmas

Gordon Elliott has cast some doubts about whether Ballyburn will be able to reverse the form with his stable star Teahupoo should the pair meet over three miles, which could be as early as the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 28.

The pair clashed in the Bar 1 Betting Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse at the end of last month, with Teahupoo prevailing by a diminishing nose from Ballyburn who was making his return to hurdling after a disappointing novice chase campaign.

However, speaking to hosts Kevin O’Ryan and Gary O’Brien on the Tote x RacingTV Christmas Preview show, Elliott suggested that he would fancy his chances once more against the Stayers’ Hurdle favourite: “It’ll be a bit of a learning curve for Ballyburn. He’s a very talented horse, but the very best staying horses - nine times out of ten - are usually behind the bridle and very relaxed. 

“I just don’t know if he’s going to be at his best in a three-mile race, I’m not sure it will suit his style of racing.”

Elliott reports that Stayers’ Hurdle runner-up Teahupoo is firmly on track to run over Christmas, which is a change of approach for the eight-year-old.

"Last year we went straight from the Hatton’s Grace to Cheltenham but hopefully we will go to Leopardstown this year if the ground is safe,” Elliott explained.

“We’re looking forward to it. He’s in good form, he’s not getting any younger, and the staying division doesn’t look the strongest at the moment.

“He only just held on at Fairyhouse, but two and a half miles is as short as he wants, and over three miles he just has that extra gear late on where he keeps galloping.

“When he gets there, he doesn’t do a stroke. He probably idled a bit at Cheltenham, too.

“I wasn’t disappointed at Cheltenham last season; he just didn’t win – he was beaten by a very good horse [Bob Olinger].”

Leading jockey Danny Mullins, who is an ambassador for Tote, was asked who he would choose to ride if given the choice. He answered: “Teahupoo. He’s just so solid and there’s a good reason that they didn’t go for these races last year. He’s still a fresh horse.”

Meanwhile, plans remain up in the air for stablemate Brighterdaysaheadwho has been off the track for some time. Connections had originally aimed to go chasing with the multiple Grade 1-winning mare, however she could yet make up part of a strong Elliott team in the December Hurdle – a race she won last season - on December 29.

Stablemate Wodhooh, who won the Ascot Hurdle last month, is also entered.

Elliott revealed: “Brighterdaysahead had a little procedure during the summer and then she missed ten days recently due to an unrelated muscle injury and that held us up getting back, but she is in good form.

“The plan will be to go to Leopardstown but I’m not sure which race yet. She could be supplemented for this race again.

“Obviously Lossiemouth is a champion and could be very hard to beat, but you should never be scared of one horse.

“I didn’t enter her in the race because at the time I thought we were going chasing, but if we go chasing now then half the season is already gone, and it might just get away from us a bit.

“She was beaten after a hurdle at Cheltenham, but she has been beaten twice there now and maybe it’s just not her track.”

Elliott added: "Wodhooh is a great mare and I’d love to have another go at Lossiemouth.

“She’s unbelievable, a champion, but we don't know how good Wodhooh is as she doesn’t show anything at home and she just keeps winning on the track.

“The only day she got beat was by Lossiemouth at Aintree which was a very good run.

“There might only be five or so runners, so we will keep our cards close to our chest.”

Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting has traditionally been a strong one for Elliott’s Cullentra House stable which is currently on the crest of a wave, with a good run of form punctuated by notable successes for another strong group of novices.

Leading the pack over fences is Romeo Coolio, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles at the meeting last year who is on target to return in the Racing Post Novice Chase – a race won by the yard’s Found A Fifty when it was last run in 2023 - in preference to the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick.

Elliott explained: “I was impressed with what he did at Fairyhouse the last day, but he's going to have to improve to go to the next level.

“He was very good in the Drinmore; it probably wasn't the strongest race in the world, but I'm happy what he's shown us and happy with what he's doing.

“I remember Keith Donoghue riding him in the Cheltenham Bumper a couple of years ago, and he was barely rideable, even going to the start.

“He was a very, very keen horse but he's after settling down and I think fences have really made him.

“The way he jumped the hurdle, he jumped them like he wanted a fence. He was giving him too much light and spending too much time in the air. But he seems to be quick over a fence.

“We’ve not decided where he'd go, but at the moment we are probably leaning towards the two-mile race at Leopardstown.

“I think we might bring him back and then we'll learn where we're going for the rest of the season.”

Elliott plans to run both Koktail Brut and Skylight Hustle in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle on December 27 – a race won by Romeo Coolio 12 months ago – and is hopeful of big performances from both young horses.

“Koktail Brute is a gutsy horse, a very uncomplicated horse. He was so impressive when he won on his first run of the season - he looked like he had loads of gears – but in the Royal Bond he looked like he needed to step up in trip,” Elliott said.

"He was bought to be a chaser, and I'd say that's going to be his job down the road.  But at home, I'd say probably Skylight Hustle is a pacier horse than him. 

“I thought he [Skylight Hustle] was very good at Fairyhouse; he jumped from hurdle to hurdle, and he was very professional.”

When asked if he would put people off siding with Skylight Hustle, Elliott replied: "Definitelynot.”

Elliott also outlined plans for some of his other stable stars, including The Yellow Clay, who will join Teahupoo in the Christmas Hurdle, and Firefoxand Found A Fifty who have options at Leopardstown and Ascot.

Some less well-known horses – including El Cairos and Premier Division – were also nominated by Elliott as runners to look forward to over the festive period. Remember, you can watch the full Tote x Racing TV Christmas Preview video here.