Former jockey and current horse trainer Gordon Elliott has labelled his team selected for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival ‘a savage one’.
Elliott is clearly in confident mood heading into this week's action, and he has plenty of opportunities across his Cheltenham roster to add to his 25 career Festival victories.
This 384-1 accumulator from Elliott’s horses could win Mirror Sport readers plenty of cash this week:
Floueur - Ultima Handicap Chase - Tuesday 2.50pm - 7-1*
Thanks to his team, Elliott will have plenty of live chances in the handicaps throughout the Festival - but many of them have already been found out in the market. One that has slipped under the radar so far is in the Ultima Handicap Chase: Floueur.
The horse, best known for commentator Jerry Hannon describing it as ‘jumping like a bag of hammers’ when making a mistake at Fairyhouse, still managed to beat Frontal Assault, the favourite for the Kim Muir Handicap Chase.
However, jumping could prove Floueur's downfall after it made another error at the final fence of the Grand National trial.
However, if errors can be avoided, this will be a name to watch - particularly after it finished third in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2021.
Tiger Roll - Cross Country Chase - Wednesday 4.10pm - 7-4*
Elliott’s most famous horse must be included in any accumulator.
Tiger Roll, who is 12 years of age, is rather remarkably going for his third win in the Cross Country Chase and his sixth overall triumph at the Festival. Owners Gigginstown House Stud have already suggested the event will be the last time we see the horse on a racecourse with speculation surrounding his retirement.
If Tiger Roll showcases his superstar ability, the other competitors will be simply be racing for second-place, and Elliott has been declaring the horse is in fine form heading into the tournament.
Frontal Assault - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup - Thursday 5.30pm - 4-1*
Beaten by Floueur in a beginners’ chase, Frontal Assault has been desperate to compete in a longer race. This has reportedly been the plan since that defeat in late January.
Fewer horses will relish the steep uphill as much as Frontal Assault, the son of Presenting.
And with Rob James planning to take seven pounds off his back, it could well benefit him even further and lead him to glory.
Get a £5 free bet on each day of Cheltenham Festival with bet365 here
Ginto - Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle - Friday 2.50pm - 5-2*
This one is not yet guaranteed with Ginto not yet confirmed for this race. But Elliott has suggested that Ginto could make a late entry this race in place of stablemate Minella Crooner - having been ruled out due to injury. Ginto was a £470,000 purchase after winning a point-to-point, but despite being odds-on favourite to win his highly-anticipated debut, he came up short.
However, Ginto has looked better over longer distances and took a comfortable Grade 1 win in the Lawlors of Naas Novices Hurdle.
Ginto looks the horse to beat at Cheltenham but will have to face the threat from English challenge Hillcrest on Friday
Fourfold accumulator = 384-1
*The odds at time of writing
Please Gamble Responsibly
Everyone at Reach is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org
Pick up your Daily Mirror/Daily Star/Daily Record/Daily Express every day of the Cheltenham Festival for a FREE £2 shop bet with William Hill which can be used on any of the sporting action!
18 + Terms apply. See tomorrow's paper for your voucher.
