In an exclusive interview with BOYLE Sports , leading trainer Gordon Elliott previews his big-race runners ahead of the Punchestown Festival .
The Cullentra handler discusses his team's preparations, reveals plans for Brighterdaysahead , and shares his thoughts on jockey Jack Kennedy and the yard's exciting young stock.
Elliott also touches on Constitution Hill , the American Grand National meeting, and the one horse he says is worth watching closely next season.
Punchestown Plans
We Will Have Plenty Runners
Look, we've got plenty of horses to run. To be honest, I'm not even thinking about it. We've had 11 Grade winners this season. We've had a brilliant season as far as prize money goes. I've said it all along that I thought we weren't far enough in front to win and didn't have enough in hand. So, I'm not even thinking about it, to be honest. I won't be approaching it any other way.
I'd imagine we will have eight to 10 runners every day, so plenty of runners. It's a great meeting which we really enjoy, and we love to support it.
Constitution Hill
Lucky To Have Jack Kennedy
He's very mentally strong, and he's a wonderful jockey and a wonderful sportsman. He's a big part of my team, and I'm very lucky to have him.
Constitution Hill is a Superstar
To be honest, I worry about my own horses! I have no big opinion on Constitution Hill . I think he's a superstar of a horse. Nicky Henderson is doing a wonderful job on him. I don't want to get into that whole saga, to be honest.
Big-Race Runners
American Grand National
We've got a load going over next week again. We will definitely have runners there. We've got obviously Zanahiyr, who won last year, and Western Fold , that type of horse.
Punchestown Team
El Cairos is one to watch in the Champion Novice Hurdle . Jack Kennedy said he is one of the fastest horses he's ever ridden. He's a good horse, though. The Supreme at Cheltenham was a very funny race; none of the Irish horses seemed to be able to get into it for whatever reason. He's in good form. He's coming here fresh, so we're looking forward to running him.
Koktail Brut also lines up in the Champion Novice Hurdle . A nine-length winner at Fairyhouse since Cheltenham , he is a horse that keeps going the right way and keeps winning. He's going to be a gorgeous chasing horse next year, so we're looking forward to running both of tm in the two-mile race on the first day.
Kala Conti heads to the Champion Novice Chase . She has beaten Kargese , who won the Arkle . She looked like she wasn't going to be far away at Aintree . Whether she runs or not, we're not just sure. She seems in good form at home, so we'll see how she is this week and make our mind up. In the Champion Stayers' , both Teahupoo and Honesty Policy are in good form, so both of them run.
Brighterdaysahead won't run in the Champion Hurdle . She's finished for the year. Wodhooh takes her chance in the Mares' Champion Hurdle . She's in very good form, and I'm really looking forward to running her. She's a superstar. I probably got emotional after her win at the Cheltenham Festival because I hadn't had a winner in a tough week. But to be honest, she's just a very, very good mare. She keeps winning. She's not fancy at home, and she keeps delivering.
Horses to Watch
Our Big Potential Horse
Charismatic Kid is one who looked very good in the Bumper at Fairyhouse and one we're going to be looking forward to next year.
Other Runners
We've got a few nice horses in the Champion Bumper . We've got Low Kick and Soul Asylum . We'll have loads of runners, to be honest. So, you hope they go well.
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