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Gordon Elliott: Inside Cullentra ahead of Galway
By Nic Doggett
Last Updated: Wed 22 Jul 2026
Gordon Elliott is hopeful that new recruit Nowwhatdoyouthink can give him a record-extending sixth win in the Tote Galway Plate.
Speaking to Racing TV pundit Donn McClean at a recent stable open day, and reflecting on last year's win in a contest where he saddled seven runners, Elliott's love for the race was clear to see. "It's a great race to win, a great atmosphere," he explained. "The scenes coming back into the parade ring at Galway, there's not too many places like it.
"It's a race that's been lucky for us. It's a good race to win and very good prize money."
The Cullentra House Stables achieved a famous double last year when also landing the Galway Hurdle, though Elliott was made to sweat as the victory came courtesy of the stewards following some interference between eventual winner Ndaawi and Helvic Dream after the last.
"It's probably not the nicest way to win a race, but I'm not going to give it back, either. It was sweet to win it - I hadn't much luck in the Hurdle. I think maybe I've been second in it four or five times with the likes of Plan A and Cause of Causes."
It was the first time since Edward O'Grady achieved the feat in 1978 that a trainer had lifted both trophies, and Elliott has several interesting contenders this time around.
Nowwhatdoyouthink has recently transferred to Elliott from the yard of Ray Hackett and looks a leading player for the Plate.
Elliott explained: "Ray had done a wonderful job with him, but he came up for sale and an American owner approached me to see if we could have a go with him. He will race in Ireland and then probably end up in America racing over there.
"I bought him for a Plate, a Kerry National, those type of races. He's got great form, which I always believe you need to win the big handicaps, they're always the kind of the horses that don't win a Grade One, but could be running very respectably or winning grade Twos or Threes. And he's done that.
"So I think he ticks the boxes. He's in good form, he worked very well last week, and he's got a beautiful weight with 10 st 4 lb on his back."
Nowwhatdoyouthink: leading contender for the Tote Galway Plate. (Pic: Healy Racing)
The only question mark for connections is who will pilot the seven-year-old, with that light weight set to be a struggle for stable jockey Jack Kennedy.
"I'm not sure who will ride him yet. I'd imagine Sam [Ewing] or Daniel [Gilligan] will ride him, but I'll speak to the owners, and they'll ultimately make the final decision.
"Daniel's record around Galway is very good in the Plate, he won it twice for me and I think he was second on Duffle Coat. And I think one of the lads was telling me that he hasn't been out of the first five in the last three or four years or something like that. He's a Galway man, he knows it well."
Elliott also knows Galway well, and is set to be heavily represented once again, with Three Card Brag hoping to improve on last year's eighth-placed finish behind stablemate Western Fold.
"He's in good form, I couldn't be happier with him," said Elliott. "He runs well fresh, he will love the trip, and I think last year his race was over at the start. It was very disappointing for the horse and for the owners as the start was a shambles."
Three Card Brag (left) is yet again amongst Gordon Elliott's Galway Festival squad. (Pic: Healy Racing)
Last year's Guinness Galway Hurdle winner Ndaawi could bid to defend his crown, or take in a beginners' chase, with plans still yet to be finalised. Elliott also has Supreme Novices' Hurdle fifth El Cairos entered in the Galway Hurdle, and is confident that a break will have freshened up the six-year-old.
Elliot said: "He just came short at Grade One level. He had a few good solid runs, but just didn't do for me what he's been doing at home on the track.
"He came to us from Gary Moore and he never really got a break. He came straight into training with me, so I don't know how long he was in training before that. So maybe with a few months of a break, he might have strengthened up or freshened up."
A big week ahead, then, for the leading trainer.
"If we're lucky enough to win either the Plate or the Hurdle again, it's a great start to the season."
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