Gordon Elliott's El Cairos Relaxed and Ready for Supreme Novices' Hurdle

A relaxed pick of grass at Cheltenham tells its own story. Racing TV journalist Ash Symonds spotted El Cairos grazing contentedly at the festival venue, a picture of calm for a horse who goes into the Supreme Novices' Hurdle as second favourite despite a dramatic exit at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Gordon Elliott has entered the £410,000 David Maxwell dispersal sale purchase in the 1m7½f maiden hurdle at Thurles, a race that drew 39 entries, as his final prep before heading to Cheltenham. Elliott was emphatic about the plan: "The intention is definitely to run." The 2.55 at Thurles represents a calculated final spin, with the trainer acutely aware of the tightening festival timeline. "It's six weeks next Tuesday and you wouldn't want to be going too much later than that so hopefully Thurles will get the go-ahead and he can have a nice spin around there," Elliott said. "He's been perfect since Christmas and everything has gone according to plan with him."

That reassurance carries weight given what unfolded at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. El Cairos, sent hurdling having won two bumpers in November, had Jack Kennedy aboard and was well clear when the pair met trouble at the last flight. Accounts of the incident differ: the Racing Post described El Cairos stumbling on landing after the last and unshipping Kennedy, while Largs and Millport Weekly News reported he stumbled after jumping the last when well clear. A third account described the incident as a fall at the last. Whatever the precise mechanics, the result was the same: Peter Lawlor's Murat, sent off at 11-2, and Doctor Du Mesnil were left to fight out the finish, with only a nose separating the pair at the line.

Elliott moved quickly to calm any concerns about his horse. "He's 100 per cent. He looked good and I'd say he's a proper horse," he said after the race. "I'd say we'll have one run, probably in a maiden hurdle, and then go to the Supreme Novices'. That would be the plan all being well. He looks nice. We'll get him home and make sure he's OK, but we're very happy."

The Leopardstown display, incomplete as it was, proved compelling enough to push El Cairos as low as 7-1 for the Supreme. Kennedy had kicked clear in the straight and the pair were winning by what looked like almost 10 lengths before the incident. Elliott had carried pre-race concerns about the ground into that day. "We were worried in his bumpers that he looked like he was a bit sluggish in soft ground," he said. "Jack said he showed plenty of pace there and he was absolutely delighted with him. He seemed to like that ground. We were worried that he might not be quick enough on it but it was a good performance and we're very happy."

Among the possible opponents El Cairos could face at Thurles is Roc Dino, though that rival's recent form makes for sobering reading: sent off a 6-4 favourite for a maiden at Fairyhouse, Roc Dino was beaten 38 lengths into second by Mighty Park, who holds a 14-1 quote for the Supreme and 10-1 for the Turners. The Thurles maiden has precedent as a stepping stone, too: the same race was used by Kopek Des Bordes twelve months ago on the way to Supreme glory.

With the Cheltenham sighting confirming good spirits and Elliott satisfied with every step of the preparation, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle opener on Day 1 looks set to provide the platform El Cairos was denied on Boxing Day.