Elliot’s Christmas Cross-Channel Double

Gordon Elliott had his fair share of winners on day one of the Christmas racing, even if not everything went his way at Leopardstown but the trainer may well be in for another good afternoon today with a potential cross-channel double to keep an eye on.

No blues in Chepstow

Jamie Codd was among the winners for Elliott at Down Royal yesterday and the champion amateur has picked up the plum spare ride on Folsom Blue in the Welsh National at Chepstow. Folsom Blue was a winner over hurdles on his debut for Elliott and wasn’t disgraced in a better contest over hurdles earlier this month at Navan.

The veteran doesn’t seem to be showing his age at all since joining Elliott and definitely looks a decent bet at 8/1 with a lovely weight on his back.

The ground or trip shouldn’t be an issue for Folsom Blue and if he can find anything like the level of performance that saw him finish fourth in a BoyleSports Irish Grand National, Folsom Blue should give a very good account of himself.

The other big handicap selection from Elliott’s today is Squouteur in Leopardstown’s feature contest. Still a maiden over fences, his price is certainly on the short side for what he has achieved so far over fences but connections have to be respected in this type of contest and Barry Geraghty siding with him over Oscar Knight must be a positive. The six-year-old is clearly open to progression and will appreciate the step up in trip from his seasonal debut and he did prove over hurdles that he could win off a similar sort of mark.

Hogan to call the tune in Limerick

Denis Hogan is a trainer that is widely respected for the job he does with his team of horses and the trainer/jockey can land the feature race at Limerick today with Youcantcallherthat.

The six-year-old was impressive at Cork and then went on to win a decent mares race at Fairyhouse next time up..

..and can exploit what still looks a rather lenient mark in this company.

With Baie Des Iles topping the weights, it leaves Youcantcallherthat on a lovely racing weight of 10st6lbs and she could be worth following for another while yet.

Suggested Bets:
Folsom Blues 8/1 2.50 Chepstow
Squouteur 5/1 3.00 Leopardstown
Youcantcallherthat 2.35 Limerick