We’re taking a look at the main Gordon Elliott Cheltenham Festival runners 2024 as the Cullentra House trainer has a few top chances this year. Read on to find out all you need to know about his leading hopes.
Gordon Elliott Cheltenham Festival 2024 Runners: The Main Candidates
Gordon Elliott has won the Cheltenham Festival top trainer twice in his handling career, and it would be no surprise to see him have another strong week this year with plenty of chances of some winners.
He’s got another top team of horses making the trip over to Prestbury Park in 2024, which sees him look to break the 40-winner mark at the festival.
Take a look at some of the leading Gordon Elliott Cheltenham Festival 2024 runners below as we list each horse with the race they’re likely heading to.
Tuesday 12th March 2024 | Firefox Bids For Supreme Glory
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – FIREFOX: Being Elliott’s only Supreme entry, you’d like to think Firefox has a decent chance in this, given he’s already beat ante post betting favourite Ballyburn. The six-year-old got the better of Willie Mullins’ charge in a 2m Maiden back in December, so he could be one of Ballyburn’s closest challengers. Elliott was speaking on Firefox during his recent stable tour, saying: “He’s a very good horse. One of my best”. Whilst he was beaten when saw last at Naas, that was when stepping up to 2m4f, so back down to 2m for the Supreme can only be positive for the Bective Stud-owned gelding.
Arkle Chase – FOUND A FIFTY: Now blown wide open, there’s a lot of horses in the Arkle with a solid chance, including Found A Fifty. Was beaten just a neck in the Irish Arkle by Il Etait Temps when running a stormer the last day. He also had Marine Nationale well beaten behind him and can give this race a good go. This seven-year-old has two wins over fences, with his other two runs over the larger obstacles resulting in runner-up efforts, should improve once again.
Ultima Handicap Chase – THE GOFFER: Ran well in this race last year and appears to be going for a second go after finishing fourth behind eventual Grand National winner Corach Rambler. Elliott says he has had good prep for this after winning a charity race when seen last at Punchestown. Being a son of Yeats, the stamina is in his blood so another big performance is expected.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – WODHOOH: Unbeaten in four starts over hurdles, this four-year-old clearly has a very exciting future with two Class 1 listed wins already this season. Connections believe she is well handicapped and she knows how to get her head in front so it will be an interesting contest with such an open field.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – NDAAWI: Has had three runs since switching to the Elliott yard and made it a third time lucky when landing a Naas Maiden in January. He was a steady performer on the flat for Andrew Balding, and connections feel there is more to come from him over hurdles, so is one of two entries for his trainer in the Boodles.
National Hunt Chase – SALVADOR ZIGGY: Stepping up to 3m6f for the first time, Elliott sends Salvador Ziggy to the NH Chase. He was last seen running in America in their Grand National Hurdle Stakes, but finished a disappointing seventh. However, he has won three of his four starts over fences so returning to the bigger obstacles back in Britain should be a positive.
Wednesday 13th March 2024 | Top Chance Of More Cross Country Success
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – AMERICAN MIKE: Set to be supplemented for this after not being entered originally, American Mike holds every chance if making it to the race. He was last seen winning well at Navan in February, and for a horse with such an engine, there’s no surprise to see connections sticking with the longer trip. He has also already beaten market leader Fact To File when making a winning chase debut back in November, so makes sense supplementing him for this race.
Cross Country Chase – DELTA WORK: Won the last two renewals of this, and Elliott has a superb record in the race with five wins. The gutsy 11-year-old has been trained for this and the Grand National all season, and trainer says he has been working well and is coming into form. Should give another strong showing in this as he looks to give Elliott a leading record in the contest.
Cross Country Chase – GALVIN: Another horse who raced in this last year, Galvin should go close again. He finished just a couple of lengths behind stablemate Delta Work and ran fairly well when seen in the Boyne Hurdle in February. That was the perfect preparation for the Cross Country on route to the Grand National, but Elliott said if the ground becomes too soft, then he may not run at Cheltenham, saving him for Aintree.
Cross Country Chase – COKO BEACH: A third entry in the Cross Country for Elliott, Coko Beach has every chance after running well over the banks and winning at Punchestown last time out. He’ll relish this test, especially if the ground is soft and we may well see an Elliott-filled frame come the end of the race. Also landed the Troytown earlier on in the season, so his superb jumping can aid his claims.
Champion Bumper – JALON D’OUDAIRIES: Unbeaten so far in bumpers and point-to-points, Jalon D’Oudairies is clearly an exciting prospect in what looks an ultra hot Champion Bumper. With a flawless record so far, should be in the mix for top connections.
Champion Bumper – ROMEO COOLIO: Made a winning debut at Fairyhouse for Elliott in January after being purchased for £420,000. A huge price tag, but looks one to pay back the majority of that one day and trainer speaks highly of his chances. Won a 3m soft ground point-to-point in style almost a year ago, so could be a top chaser in the making.
Champion Bumper – THE YELLOW CLAY: Elliott has made interesting comments about the claims of this five-year-old, suggesting that Jack Kennedy may pick to ride him. Won his first two bumpers for the yard, before losing when last seen at the Dublin Racing Festival. He finished fourth last time out, but was unlucky in running when struggling for room so one to note in the betting closer to the day.
Thursday 14th March 2024 | Robcour Duo Head Stayers’ Hurdle Market
Ryanair Chase – CONFLATED: With an entry in the Cross Country too, Elliott has stated that Conflated is most likely to go for the Ryanair and is one of two contenders from the yard. Despite unseating his rider the last twice, Conflated has been running well before final fence blunders. Third in the Gold Cup last year, Conflated now goes back down to 2m4½f for the first time since falling in this race two years ago.
Ryanair Chase – FIL DOR: Whilst Elliott says that his charge needs to improve, he still thinks that Fil Dor has a steady chance in this contest, with the trip looking to suit him. He has has had two runs since returning to chasing this season with two runner-up efforts behind classy horses, so he is not written off for his new owners. His only previous appearance at the track was when finishing second behind Vauban in the 2022 Triumph Hurdle.
Stayers’ Hurdle – TEAHUPOO: It’s fair to say that Elliott has leading claims in this year’s Stayers’ Hurdle, with his two representatives closely contested at the front of the market. Teahupoo is currently favourite with a smashing record over hurdles, with nine wins from 14 runs. He was last seen beating Impaire Et Passe at Fairyhouse in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle a couple of months back, and will look to go two places better in the Staying race this year. Could head to France after Cheltenham if he is successful.
Stayers’ Hurdle – IRISH POINT: There has been plenty of rumours that Irish Point may go to the Champion Hurdle, but the Stayers’ has been the plan for a while now. Elliott says the decision is yet to be made, but he did confirm that the Stayers’ is highly likely. With five wins out of eight over hurdles, and stamina clearly a strong point, the 3m trip looks to be perfect. He has every chance of winning, in what looks to be a competitive renewal.
Stayers’ Hurdle – SIRE DU BERLAIS: A tremendous servant for the Elliott team, Sire Du Berlais head to the Cheltenham Festival looking to keep up his superb record at the track. He won the Stayers’ Hurdle last year at big odds and it would be naive to rule out his chances once again. The 12-year-old comes alive on this better ground in the Spring and can hit the frame once again for JP McManus.
Plate Handicap Chase – SAINT FELICIEN: With a good record over hurdles, Saint Felicien won for the first time over fences when seen last, with solid placed efforts in his other three starts. Elliott speaks highly of the horse and believes the experience picked up so far this season will be a big help for this race.
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD: Unbeaten in five runs under rules, this five-year-old mare looks to be one of Elliott’s brightest stars. Won in listed company at Navan last time out by 12 lengths and could be the horse to beat in what looks one of the races of the festival. Elliott has been full of praise and her daily rider said that he thinks she could be as good as anything the yard has ever had.
Friday 15th March 2024 | Big Final Day Expected For Elliott
County Handicap Hurdle – KING OF KINGSFIELD: Despite winning just once in five starts over hurdles, this horse is yet to finish outside the places and could be well handicapped for this. He has put in valiant effort after valiant effort and is one who has solid claims in this race. He also has an entry for the Supreme so connections clearly think he’s a good prospect, but Elliott has said the County Hurdle is the most likely outcome.
County Handicap Hurlde – PIED PIPER: Comes here off top weight after finishing a close second in the race last year, so should give it another good go. Connections set to utilise 5lb claim from Danny Gilligan, who is expected to take the ride. Was last behind State Man on most recent start in November, but before that finished runner-up by less than a length in the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket on the flat. Changed hands for a lot of money recently, but still only six so holds potential over fences in the future.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – CROKE PARK: Wasn’t quite up to scratch in Grade 1 contest last time out, but trainer said he came back lame afterwards. That can be forgiven, and going up to 3m for this can suit him well. He’s an outside chance for this race, but holds steady record over hurdles (2/3). Set to go Novice Chasing next season.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – MY TRUMP CARD: Another outsider in this contest for Elliott, My Trump Card much like his stable mate has made a fairly good start over hurdles. Yet to finish out of the places, this six-year-old will cope with the step up in trip perfectly and his engine can make him a smart each-way bet in the race. Elliott said his jumping has improved race-by-race, and further improvement is on the cards.
Gold Cup – GERRI COLOMBE: This horse is arguably the star of the stable, and he has been trained for the Gold Cup all season. Yet to finish worse than second in his 11-start career so far, Gerri Colombe can still be the classy chaser that many anticipated. The course and distance of the Gold Cup is set to suit him to a tee, and Elliott has also said that he will go well even with less testing ground. He was thought to be a mud lover, but he is a versatile type that should not be ruled out. Last seen finishing 2nd in the Savills Chase behind Galopin Des Champs, fierce rematch expected.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – BETTER DAYS AHEAD: Only won once over hurdles, but has had some tough races so far. Finished second behind Asian Master at Navan last time out when giving away weight. Should enjoy going back up in trip for this and could give Elliott the perfect end to the Cheltenham Festival.
That concludes the Gordon Elliott Cheltenham Festival 2024 runners, so keep an eye out for more content relating to this on SportsLens.
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