Countdown to Cheltenham: Gordon Elliott latest; Cilaos Emery a Festival doubt

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There’s only one place to start today and that’s with the story that has dominated racing headlines over the weekend and no doubt will continue to do so in the run up to the Cheltenham Festival

The latest on the Gordon Elliott photo story with a view to the Festival is that the trainer has himself issued a statement apologising, while the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board - who ultimately have the power to dish out a fine, ban or even revoke Elliott’s licence - say their investigation is ongoing. 

The British Horseracing Authority, under whose jurisdiction Cheltenham falls, has already confirmed it is “considering its own regulatory options” alongside whatever the IHRB decide. 

Even if neither body’s sanctions preclude Elliott from having runners at the Festival, he remains beholden to the will of his owners. So far, Gigginstown House Stud, who own numerous prominent horses at Cullentra, most notably dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll, have announced they will be standing by Elliott.

Cheveley Park Stud, whose squad includes the unbeaten superstar Envoi Allen, have been less definitive, only commenting to say they are “truly horrified and dismayed” by the photograph but will wait until the conclusion of the IHRB investigation before making any decisions. 

Cheltenham doubt for Cilaos Emery 

Willie Mullins has suggested that Cilaos Emery could skip Cheltenham despite his dominant performance at Naas yesterday. 

The nine-year-old has entries in both the Ryanair and Champion Chase, with the latter a more likely target.

However, Mullins already has the odds-on favourite for that race in Chacun Pour Soi and with little more than two weeks to go Cilaos Emery could be kept in Ireland.

“There, might be nice prizes on the home front,” Mullins said. “We’ll try to find another similar type of race for him. 

Native River as good as ever ahead of Gold Cup 

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer to father Colin, says Native River is “performing every bit as well” as when he won the 2018 Gold Cup as he looks to reclaim the prize this year. 

Native River was the last horse to win the blue riband before Al Boum Photo’s back-to-back victories, and looked in superb form when winning the Cotswolds Chase last month, though Tizzard thinks ground conditions will be key to his chances this year. 

“I think nowadays he would need a bit of soft ground,” Tizzzard said. “Just because anything else would be perhaps too quick for him and with the soft ground he can just maintain that gallop.

“Native River will run his race, that’s the thing. He doesn’t run a bad race so he will go there and perform.”

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