Gordon Elliot Set For Another Busy Day At Naas & Cork

Trainer Gordon Elliott added yet another Grand National to his portfolio yesterday when he won the American version at Far Hills Racecourse on Saturday evening with BoyleSports ambassador Robbie Power doing the steering on Jury Duty.

Elliott has another busy day today with runners at both Naas and Cork and he could well hold the key in the feature Grade B chase at Cork where he is double handed.

Kennedy to Rise with Sunset

Jack Kennedy was also in Far Hills where he partnered the well beaten Clarcam in the American Grand National, but Kennedy can land the coopsuperstores.ie Handicap Chase on the veteran Sunsetstorise (4.00 Cork).

The 10-year-old has only raced three times for Gordon Elliott, winning the first of those last March and then finishing second in a decent race at Fairyhouse the following month.

The victory came over 2m1f on heavy ground whereas when he finished second it was over 2m6f at Fairyhouse and the drop back in trip here would look to be a big help.

The ground is quicker than what it has been for most of Sunsetstorise’s runs but it shouldn’t be a massive negative and there could still be more to come from the 10-year-old despite the fact that he does now qualify for veterans chases and would need a career best run to win this.

Elliott’s partner in crime at Far Hills, Robbie Power, gave a favourable mention to his mount Bennaway in his Herald column on Saturday and at 12/1 the Jessica Harrington-trained runner could prove value in an open looking handicap hurdle earlier on the card.

Lyons is for the birds

It could be a good day for Meath based trainers as Ger Lyons looks to have a solid chance of winning the Birdcatcher at Naas with Chicago May (2.35 Naas).

The selection was a surprise course winner on debut when trained by Henry de Bromhead and the daughter of Charm Spirit unsurprisingly was snapped up by a big owner after that win over seven-furlongs.

That was a first two-year-old debut winner for the trainer and she really did win well and with the change of ownership came a change of trainer with Ger Lyons the beneficiary.

Her second run didn’t go well but on her first start for Lyons Chicago May ran much better and back at a track where she ran well and with Lyons now knowing a bit more about her, Chicago May could just be well treated off 82.

She has a lovely racing weight of 8st10lbs and at 7/1 she looks a good bet.

The best news of all yesterday was the tweet from Pat Smullen revealing that he is over his operation and into the next phase of his recovery and it was also a good day for his boss, Dermot Weld on the track.

Weld and Declan McDonogh enjoyed a treble at Leopardstown yesterday and it would be a surprise if they left Naas without a winner.

Making Light has to give weight all around in the Garnet Stakes but looks primed to do so on her best form and with just enough ease in the ground for her liking.

Recommended Bets
Chicago May 7/1 – 2.35 Naas
Sunsetstorise 11/2 – 4.00 Cork