It’s clearly time to lump on this hugely impressive Gordon Elliott runner for Cheltenham Festival
THERE’s a famous saying that goes along the lines of ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.’
Well, for the past two weeks I have been trying to convince myself of exactly that when I see the Cheltenham Festival ante-post prices about the Gordon Elliott-trained Firefox.
My pals at Betfair currently have him chalked up at 10-1 a piece for the Ballymore and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
I don’t have a clue which one he will go for, but my gut tells me he will line up in the Festival opener.
He produced a performance that was very easy on the eye when winning the best maiden hurdle run this season at Fairyhouse earlier in the month.
The runner-up Ballyburn is regarded as a proper Grade 1 horse by Willie Mullins, albeit probably over further, and Firefox handled him easily to win by two and half lengths without Jack Kennedy giving a crack with the persuader.
There were 12 lengths back to the well-related French import Irancy and another seven to smart Flat performer Helvic Dream in fifth.
The form is very strong and it would be no surprise to see Elliott’s star novice run in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Owners Bective Stud are desperate for a winner at the Cheltenham Festival and this lad could be the one to do it. Time to lump on!
FESTIVAL PUNT
I know I’ve rambled on about how much I fancy the talented Firefox but you will thank me when he wins at the Festival.
It’s hard to know for sure the race he will run in, but he showed enough boot to run in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Let’s have £35 win on at 10-1 and £15 at the same price for the Ballymore just in case connections change their minds.
ONE TO WATCH
Stay Away Fay looks the No1 contender for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase after his Sandown win.
The runner-up Giovinco is a fair yardstick.
Recent Navan winner Indiana Dream looks very useful, but I’m not sure if he’ll be Festival bound.
CLUE
Five and six year olds do best in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
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