Elliott Hoping Chicago Gets Lucky

Gordon Elliott knows he has a serious contender for Cheltenham Festival honours in the shape of the progressive staying chaser Chicago Grey who is set to take his chance in the opening race on the second day of the four-day extravaganza, the four-mile National Hunt Chase, writes Elliot Slater.

The 6/1 ante-post favourite for the race restricted to amateur riders, Chicago Grey has made tremendous progress already this term having been switched to the larger obstacles last summer when making his fencing bow at Perth in July. Although only third, he soon got the hang of things and won in good style at Galway later that month, following up at Navan in September after a couple of placed efforts in between.

People started to take Elliott's eight-year-old a little more seriously whenhe won by six-lengths at Cheltenham in October, and he was upsides the useful Wayward Prince back at the same track the following month when coming to grief at the second from home. Undeterred, Elliott sent the Luso gelding back to Prestbury Park to take on the horse of the moment, Time For Rupert, and he did not let connections down in finishing an eight-length second to Paul Webber's red-hot RSA Chase favourite. Those keeping an eye on the Cheltenham Festival odds will have been very impressed by the performance.

Stepped up to Grade 1 company at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting Chicago Grey again acquitted himself well, being beaten less than four lengths in a blanket finish when coming home fifth to Bostons Angel, keeping-on at one pace and suggesting that the four miles of the Cheltenham contest would be ideal. Elliott certainly thinks so, and confirms his progressive stayer is in great form. The young Irish trainer admitted though that his only concern is whether or not he will get luck in running, as in a big field of amateur ridden horses, literally anything could happen.