"He seems in real good form" - Gordon Elliott talks about his Dublin Racing Festival runners

Elliott won the Irish Gold Cup at this meeting 12 months ago, when Conflated made all to win. Jack Kennedy's mount produced a similar performance to land the Savills Chase back at Leopardstown over Christmas, but Elliott confirmed on Wednesday that Conflated will not return to the Dublin Racing Festival this weekend, due to the ground being a bit too quick.

"We've decided to go straight to the Gold Cup with Conflated as the ground is probably going to dry out pretty quick in Leopardstown." Elliott told the Racing Post. 

"We're a bit nervous about the ground with him so we're not going to give ourselves any temptation to run him and we'll just go straight to Cheltenham."

"The ground situation (at Leopardstown) has improved over the last couple of years. We got plenty of rain at Christmas so the ground was beautiful. I'm hoping it's in good condition this weekend. It's obviously a worry but I'm sure Leopardstown are doing a good job."

Gordon does have a few horses lined up to take on Willie Mullins in the Grade Ones at Leopardstown this weekend. Read Elliott's quotes on those runners below...

"Fury Road ran well at Leopardstown the last day and he won't mind a bit of drying ground. He seems in good form and he'll take his chance."

"Zanahiyr has been a bit hit and miss this year so it's all bit up in the air with him, but he'll probably take his chance here back at two miles and then we'll have to see where we are afterwards."

Mighty Potter

 

"Gerri Colombe will probably need rain so Mighty Potter will more than likely be our main one for the two-mile-five race. I've been happy with him since Fairyhouse and he seems in real good form."

"Irish Point could take his chance in the Grade 1 over two miles. I've been happy with his form this season, especially his last two runs, and he's been in good form at home."

"We're happy with him and he's been in good form since Navan. He seemed to work well this morning and he's in the two-mile-six race on Saturday and the two-mile race on Sunday. We haven't made a decision yet on which to run him in."