Gordon Elliott has been one of the biggest success stories in all of National Hunt racing in the last 20 years.
Starting from right at the bottom of the training ranks, he burst to wider prominence when saddling Silver Birch to win the Grand National at Aintree in 2007 at what was such an early stage of his training career that he had yet to train a winner in Ireland at that point.
That victory gave a hint of what was to come as he made relentless progress up the ranks to emerge as the biggest challenger to the dominance of Willie Mullins, making him pull out all the stops in the Irish trainers’ championship in both 2016/17 and 2017/18, saddling a remarkable 210 winners in Ireland in the latter campaign.
While Elliott has yet to fulfil his dream to become Champion Trainer in Ireland, he is already established as one of the leading trainers in the history of the Grand National. Since Silver Birch, he has saddled the legendary Tiger Roll to win the great race twice, giving Elliott three victories in the contest and just one shy of the current leading trainers in the history of the race.
Elliott is putting the final touches on his preparations for another raid of the Grand National Festival, and he spoke to attheraces.com’s Kevin Blake to tell us about his leading prospects for it
All Horses
- 7-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Mahler (UK) - American Jennie (IRE) (Lord Americo (UK))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 30 Apr 2024 18:00
- Result: 5/7, mid-division, 4th after 7th, 3rd at 9th, dropped to 5th and under pressure after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
- View full form
Form profile
A 147-rated chaser, he has won two of his four starts in novice chases this season including the Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan in February.
Trainer says
He’ll run in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Friday. He is a horse that has frustrated us this season and he disappointed us at the Cheltenham Festival. The ground looks likely to be on the softer side and he won’t have any issues with that, but he needs to come back to himself to be competitive at this level.
- 6-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Milan (UK) - Bonnie And Bright (IRE) (Topanoora (IRE))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 16:15
- Result: 3/7, tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, headway to dispute lead 2 out, pushed along entering straight, ridden and headed before last, 3rd at last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
- View full form
Form profile
A 145-rated hurdler, he has won two of his five starts over hurdles including the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer says
We have him entered in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle on Friday, but he’s not sure to run there and might well wait for the Punchestown Festival.
- 5-y-o; bay mare
- Breeding: Kapgarde (FR) - Matnie (FR) (Laveron (UK))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 13:55
- Result: Won/8, mid-division, headway 7th, led going well 3 out, quickened clear before last, easily
- View full form
Form profile
A two-time bumper winner, she has won three of her four starts over hurdles including a Grade 3 mares’ novice hurdle at Down Royal in November and Listed mares’ novice hurdle at Punchestown in February.
Trainer says
We’re going to run her in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle over two-and-a-half miles on Saturday. We were disappointed to see her beaten in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. It was a mess of a race, Jack and Paul were riding to beat each other and let the winner get away on them. It was a mess. The longer trip is going to suit her well and hopefully she can get back on track. We’ve made no secret of the regard we hold her in.
- 8-y-o; chestnut gelding
- Breeding: Well Chosen (UK) - Meadstown Miss (IRE) (Flemensfirth (USA))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Galway, 31 Jul 2024 19:10
- Result: 5/22, tracked leaders, mistake 7th and pushed along, ridden in 6th 2 out, 7th entering straight, kept on same pace
- View full form
Form profile
A 147-rated chaser, he finished second in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023.
Trainer says
The Grand National has been the plan all season with him. I couldn’t be happier with him, he’s in fantastic order, but I really want to see the ground dry out for him to give him his best chance. He ran very well on soft ground in the National Hunt Chase last year, but he definitely prefers better ground.
- 9-y-o; g gelding
- Breeding: co*koriko (FR) - Solana Beach (FR) (Take Risks (FR))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 02 May 2024 16:50
- Result: 3/14, always prominent, disputed lead from 18th, left in front at 20th, ridden along and headed entering straight, dropped to 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders at last, kept on same pace run-in
- View full form
Form profile
A 161-rated chaser, he won the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November and a banks race at Punchestown in February.
Trainer says
He’s all set for the Grand National. He loves soft ground, and his work has been very good. I just question whether he’s well handicapped enough to win a Grand National.
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| 26 Dec 2018 | Leopardstown - Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (2m) | |
- 10-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Yeats (IRE) - Saucy Present (IRE) (Presenting (UK))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 17:25
- Result: 6/9, led from 2nd, jumped left, joined 3 out, soon ridden, mistake and headed 2 out, dropped to 5th before last, no impression
- View full form
Form profile
A 162-rated chaser, he has won the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival in 2022 and the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting later that year. He finished a close third in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on his latest start.
Trainer says
We had the option of the Aintree Bowl and the Grand National, but with the ground going the way it is we are going to run in the Melling Chase on Friday instead. I thought he ran great in the Ryanair Chase, he hit the line well and I was very happy with his run.
| Video form | ||
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| 01 Apr 2018 | Fairyhouse - Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper (2m) | |
| 22 Dec 2018 | Thurles - Fogarty Concrete (Pro/Am) Flat Race (2m) | |
| 29 Dec 2018 | Leopardstown - O'Driscoll O'Neil Insurance Brokers Flat Race (2m) | |
- 6-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Toledana (FR) (Protektor (GER))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Aintree, 12 Apr 2024 16:40
- Result: PulledUp/8, held up towards rear on outside, headway before 7th, lost place after 4 out, well behind and pulled up before 3 out
- View full form
Form profile
A winning point-to-pointer that changed hands for £400,000 in April 2022, he has won two of his three starts over hurdles including the Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan in November.
Trainer says
Croke Park is an intended runner in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle on Friday. He was lame after Naas, but was back on track and was an intended runner in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, but he got a stone bruise just before he was due to leave, so we couldn’t send him. He’s better than we’ve seen from him so far and this race will suit him well.
- 11-y-o; brown gelding
- Breeding: Network (GER) - Robbe (FR) (Video Rock (FR))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 16:00
- Result: 2/32, mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, went 2nd approaching the last, ridden and lost 2nd at the elbow, kept on and went 2nd again towards finish, no chance with winner
- View full form
Form profile
A 153-rated chaser, he is a five-time Grade 1 winner over fences that has won the last two renewals of the Glenfarclas Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer says
He’ll run in the Grand National. He’s in great form. To be honest. I think he’s in the best form that I’ve had him in for the last couple of years. He’s moving great, he’s going there fresh and I’m really happy with him. He’ll love the soft ground. I’m also going to put blinkers on him for the first time.
| Video form | ||
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| 05 May 2017 | Cork - Summer BBQ Evenings Maiden Hurdle (2m) | |
| 17 May 2017 | Punchestown - Kildare Hunt Club Maiden Hurdle (2m ½f) | |
| 11 Nov 2017 | Naas - Fishery Lane Hurdle (Grade 3) (2m) | |
| 26 Nov 2017 | Navan - 'monksfield' Novice Hurdle (grade 3) (2m 4f) | |
| 29 Dec 2017 | Limerick - Guinness Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (3m) | |
- 9-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Racinger (FR) - Mascotte D'alene (FR) (Ragmar (FR))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 16:00
- Result: PulledUp/32, chased leaders out wide, weakened 20th, mistake 24th, tailed off and pulled up before 26th
- View full form
Form profile
A 153-rated chaser, he won a Grade 2 novice chase in February 2022 and finished a close second in a valuable handicap hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
Trainer says
He’ll run in the Grand National. His novice chase form tells you that he’s a smart horse, he’s just had a few problems since then. We’ll let him take his chance and hope that the race brings him back to his best.
- 6-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Cuteasafox (IRE) (Vinnie Roe (IRE))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 30 Apr 2024 15:40
- Result: 2/9, in touch, 4th after 4th, took closer order 3 out, travelled well to lead after 2 out, headed entering straight, rallied to lead last, headed closing stages, no extra close home
- View full form
Form profile
A three-time bumper winner, he has won one of his four starts over hurdles and most recently finished third in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer says
He’ll run in the Top Novices’ Hurdle on Friday. I thought he ran great to finish third in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. To be honest, I probably gave Jack instructions that were too negative. It was the first race of the week and maybe we didn’t have enough confidence to be bold with our tactics. He finished off really well up the run-in and if I’d given Jack more encouragement to be more positive on him, I’d say he would have gone a fair bit closer. We won’t mess about this time, and I can see him running very well.
- 7-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Solskjaer (IRE) - Fillmein (IRE) (Gone Fishin (IRE))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 17:00
- Result: Won/10, bumped start, chased leaders early, held up in touch in mid-division, closed 4 out, challenged 2 out, shaken up to lead before last, headed soon after last, stayed on gamely, led again close home
- View full form
Form profile
A 155-rated chaser, he has won two of his five starts over fences including the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and most recently finished second in the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer says
He’ll run in the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree on Saturday. I thought he ran very well at Cheltenham, he just bumped into a very good horse. He’ll love the ground, the softer the better for him. He has been in the mix in Grade 1s all season and it would be great to win another one with him.
- 10-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Gold Well (UK) - Burren Moonshine (IRE) (Moonax (IRE))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 16:00
- Result: 4/32, wore hood to post, mid-division, headway chasing leaders 22nd Becher's, driven along approaching the Elbow, stayed on run-in, not pace to challenge
- View full form
Form profile
A 155-rated chaser, he won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting in 2021 and finished second in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season.
Trainer says
Galvin is in brilliant shape, and I’m delighted with him. We’ve been training him all season for the Grand National, but the ground is a problem for him. He wants nicer ground, so this season has been tough for him. I think we’ll have to declare him as a couple of drying days could make all the difference, but it’ll need to dry out for him.
| Video form | ||
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| 10 Jul 2018 | ||
| 26 Jul 2018 | Limerick - Ladbrokes Munster National 14th October Flat Race (2m) | |
- 8-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Saddler Maker (IRE) - Ruse de guerre (FR) (Cadoudal (FR))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 14:55
- Result: Won/7, jumped left at times, chased leaders, not fluent 12th, switched right after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, pressed last, stayed on, holding 2nd towards finish
- View full form
Form profile
A 170-rated chaser, he has won five of his eight starts over fences including the Champion Chase at Down Royal in November. He most recently finished second to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer says
I’m really happy with Gerri Colombe. He worked great on Monday morning and is on target for the Aintree Bowl on Thursday. We were a bit disappointed with him after the Savills Chase, so we were delighted to see him come back to himself when running so well in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. He seems to be improving all the time and can hopefully step up again. He handles soft ground very well, but he travelled great on nicer ground at Aintree last year, so I don’t think he’s one dimensional that way.
- 6-y-o; g gelding
- Breeding: Joshua Tree (IRE) - Burkina (FR) (Fragrant Mix (IRE))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Auteuil, 18 May 2024 14:15
- Result: 7/14,
- View full form
Form profile
A 159-rated hurdler, he has won five of his nine starts over hurdles including the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown and most recently finished second in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer says
We have him entered in the Aintree Hurdle on Thursday and the Liverpool Hurdle on Saturday, but we haven’t made a decision yet. He could just as easily wait for the Punchestown Festival too. He ran really well in the Champion Hurdle and going back up in trip can only help him.
| Video form | ||
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| 20 Sep 2021 | Fontainebleau - Table du Grand Maitre Stakes (1m 5f) | |
| 26 Nov 2021 | Saint-Cloud - Jacques De Vienne Nat Hunt Flat (1m 4½f) | |
| 18 May 2024 | Auteuil - Racing TV Grande Course de Haies D'Auteuil Hurdle - Grade 1 (3m 1½f) | |
- 8-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Shantou (USA) - Laren (GER) (Monsun (GER))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 04 May 2024 16:15
- Result: Won/12, tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along to go 2nd 4 out, headway to lead after next, ridden and strongly pressed approaching 2 out, soon headed, keeping on when mistake last, rallied to get back up again close home, all out
- View full form
Form profile
A 143-rated chaser, he won a Listed chase at Wexford in November.
Trainer says
He’ll run in the Grand National. He has been a bit disappointing this season, but he’ll love soft ground and the fences might just spark a revival in him.
- 10-y-o; chestnut gelding
- Breeding: Shantou (USA) - Talkin Madam (IRE) (Talkin Man (CAN))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Cheltenham, 12 Mar 2024 14:50
- Result: PulledUp/21, held up towards rear, hit 14th water, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- View full form
Form profile
A 143-rated chaser, he won the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November.
Trainer says
He’s another one that will run in the Grand National. He’s not getting any younger and the handicapper hasn’t given him loads of help, but it’s the Grand National, you never know.
| Video form | ||
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| 16 Dec 2018 | Navan - 'Future Champions' Flat Race (Listed) (2m) | |
- 12-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Poliglote (UK) - Royale Athenia (FR) (Garde Royale (IRE))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 02 May 2024 18:00
- Result: PulledUp/11, always behind, pushed along from early, trailing when pulled up injured before 3 out
- View full form
Form profile
A 152-rated hurdler, he proved to be better than ever last season, winning the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.
Trainer says
He’ll run in the Liverpool Hurdle again. He wasn’t that far away in the Stayers’ Hurdle last time and I think he’s improved since then. He came forward from Cheltenham to Aintree last year and I think he can do the same again. He’s an old legend at this stage, but I wouldn’t underestimate him.
| Video form | ||
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| 05 Feb 2017 | Punchestown - I.n.h. Stallion Owners E.B.F. Novice Hurdle (listed) (2m) | |
| 29 Apr 2017 | Punchestown - Ballymore Handicap Hurdle (grade B) (2m 4½f) | |
| 24 Feb 2018 | Fairyhouse - Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle (2m 4f) | |
| 25 Apr 2018 | Punchestown - Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle (2m 4f) | |
| 10 Nov 2018 | Naas - Sky Sports Racing Launching In 2019 Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) (2m 4f) | |
- 5-y-o; bay mare
- Breeding: No Risk At All (FR) - Scorpio Queen (IRE) (Scorpion (IRE))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 18:35
- Result: 11/14, tracked leaders, ridden in 7th 3f out, weakened
- View full form
Form profile
Made a winning debut in a bumper at Punchestown in February 2023.
Trainer says
We’re going to run her in the Grade 2 mares’ bumper on Thursday. She’s been off a long time as she had a heart issue after she made a winning debut. We’ve got that sorted now and there’s no point winning over hurdles at this stage of the season, so this looks to be a nice spot for her.
- 6-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Shantou (USA) - Ned's Joy (IRE) (Oscar (IRE))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 03 May 2024 18:35
- Result: PulledUp/6, tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear when jumped right 2 out, soon almost collided with rail, no extra and pulled up before last
- View full form
Form profile
A bumper winner, he has won one of his three starts over hurdles this season and most recently finished second in a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Thurles in February.
Trainer says
We are planning on running him in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle on Friday. He didn’t jump well enough and found the track a bit sharp for him at Thurles last time. He’s a lot better than that. This course and distance should suit him well and he worked great on Monday, so I’m hopeful of a good run.
- 7-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Shantou (USA) - Bally Bolshoi (IRE) (Bob Back (USA))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 16:15
- Result: 4/7, disputed lead, led from 3rd, joined from 9th, ridden entering straight, headed before last, dropped to 5th at last, no impression
- View full form
Form profile
A 149-rated hurdler, he has won two of his five starts over hurdles including the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer says
We haven’t quite made up our mind on what to do with him yet. He’s in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle on Friday and could well run there, though we have the option of waiting for Punchestown. We’ll make a decision close to declaration time. He was one of the more fortunate winners we’ve had at Cheltenham when he won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, as he wasn’t going to travel until Croke Park had a last-minute setback. It’s funny how things work out, we were very happy that he did travel!
- 7-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Masked Marvel (UK) - Droit D'aimer (FR) (Sassanian (USA))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 02 May 2024 18:00
- Result: Won/11, rear of mid-division early, not fluent 5th, improved to track leaders on outer at 7th, 4th 2 out, pushed along and led before last, ridden clear at last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
- View full form
Form profile
A 162-rated hurdler, he has won three Grade 1s over hurdles including the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on his latest start.
Trainer says
He’s entered in the Liverpool Hurdle on Saturday, but we haven’t made up our mind yet. We’ll make a call close to declaration time. We were thrilled with him at Cheltenham. We thought sending him there fresh was the right thing to do and it was great that it worked out so well.
| Video form | ||
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| 18 Oct 2020 | Auteuil - Emilius Juvenile Hurdle (2m 2f) | |
- 7-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Yeats (IRE) - Ballylough Lady (IRE) (Mister Lord (USA))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 18:00
- Result: PulledUp/17, always behind, pushed along 7th, weakened, pulled up after 10th
- View full form
Form profile
A 144-rated chaser, he won the Leopardstown Handicap Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival last season.
Trainer says
He’s in the Grand National, but I’d like to see the ground dry out for him. We’ll see how the weather plays in the next couple of days, but he would be a possibility for the Topham Handicap Chase.
- 5-y-o; bay gelding
- Breeding: Yeats (IRE) - Winning Indian (IRE) (Indian Danehill (IRE))
- Trained by: G Elliott
- Last Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 16:50
- Result: 2/12, mid-division, closer in 5th at halfway, went 2nd 3f out, led travelling well entering straight, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- View full form
Form profile
The winner of his first two starts in bumpers including a Listed contest at Limerick in March 2023.
Trainer says
He runs in the Grade 2 bumper on Saturday. I thought he ran really well in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. We might just have ridden him a bit overly positively. I think he can run even better than that.
