Western Fold leads Elliott duo in search of Puchestown glory

Galway Plate hero Western Fold and the returning Croke Park give Gordon Elliott a strong hand in his bid for a ninth victory in the BetVictor Chase at Punchestown on Wednesday.

The Cullentra handler has dominated the Grade Three contest over the past 15 years, with his Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Don Cossack (2014 and 2015) joined on the roll of honour by Roi Du Mee (2011 and 2012), Toner d’Oudairies (2013), The Storyteller (2020) and Galvin (2021 and 2022).

Western Fold was winless after his first five starts over fences but has really found his groove this summer, rattling off four successive victories including big-race triumphs at Galway and in the Grade Two PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park less than a fortnight ago.

His stablemate Croke Park was a dual Grade One winner in novice company last season, but has been off the track since finishing down the field at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in early April.

Elliott said: “Western Fold obviously has race fitness on his side and he’ll love the ground.

“Croke Park has plenty of weight and he will come on for the run.”

The biggest threat to the Elliott pair in a seven-strong field appears to be Henry de Bromhead’s Heart Wood, who was a neck second to Croke Park in the Drinmore last term and also went on to chase home Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Elliott and De Bromhead also go head-to-head in the other Grade Three on the card – the BetVictor Novice Chase.

Following a few disappointing runs De Bromhead’s Birdie Or Bust came good with a clear-cut victory at Listowel last month, while King Of Kingsfield won his first two starts over fences for Elliott before placing third in the Kilbegnet Novice Chase at Roscommon a fortnight ago.

Birdie Or Bust carries the colours of leading owner JP McManus, whose racing manager Frank Berry said: “Henry is very happy with her and hopefully she won’t mind the ground.

“It looks a competitive race and the top horse (King Of Kingsfield) looks like he’ll be hard to beat, but she’s in good form and hopefully she’ll run a nice race.

“She’s been a bit in-and-out and hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.”

Of King Of Kingsfield, Elliott added: “He seems in good form and he’ll love the trip and he’ll love the ground.”