Irish Cesarewitch | Horse Racing Free Tips

Gordon Elliott is readying a three-pronged attack on Royal Ascot, headed by Triumph Hurdle third Pied Piper (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), who has the option of running in the Ascot S. or the Copper Horse S.

He may be best known for sending out big-race winners over obstacles, but Elliott has a terrific record at the royal meeting and has won the Queen Alexandra Stakes with Commissioned (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) (2016) and Pallasator (GB) (Motivator {GB}) (2018).

What's more impressive is that Elliott has only ever run seven horses at the royal meeting and the Cullentra House-based handler will be hoping to bolster his Ascot record with Platinumcard (Ire) (Golden Lariat) and Amir Kabir (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}) joining Pied Piper in transit.

Elliott told TDN Europe, “We're looking forward to running Pied Piper at Royal Ascot. The plan is to run Amir Kabir and Platinumcard as well.

“Pied Piper is a very classy hurdler and we think there could be a lot of fun to be had with him back on the Flat as well. Platinumcard has done well for us already and has some good form on the Flat as does Amir Kabir. Hopefully we'll have a bit of luck.”

Elliott added, “We'll split them up between the Ascot Stakes and the new one-mile-and-six-furlong handicap [The Copper Horse Stakes]. Obviously there are no entries out yet so we'll decide who runs where closer to the time but they are nice horses to be bringing over. It's a place we've had plenty of luck at and is always a nice day out so fingers crossed.”

The Irish Cesarewitch will be one of the richest races run in Ireland this year after it had its prize-money boosted to €600,000 and Elliott revealed that his Ascot team would also receive entries to the Curragh contest.

He said, “There's a good programme for these dual-purpose horses and Pied Piper, Platinumcard and Amir Kabir will be put into the Irish Cesarewitch as well.”

The post Gordon Elliott’s Royal Ascot Raiding Party Headed by Pied Piper appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

One of the most valuable staying contests of the European season will be staged at the Curragh on Sept. 25 when the Irish Cesarewitch is run for a total prize find of €600,000.

A group of supporters of Ireland's flagship racecourse have united under the banner of 'Friends of the Curragh' to back the prestigious two-mile contest in a three-year sponsorship commitment. The race will now take place earlier than usual, with permission having been granted by the European Patter Committee to move the G3 Loughbrown S. to a later date in October.

The Friends of the Curragh Irish Cesarewitch will now take place on the second day of a new two-day Autumn Festival which also features the Goffs Million.

The new initiative was brought about by former Horse Racing Ireland chairman Joe Keeling, who said, “I am very pleased to have been involved in the redevelopment of the Curragh into a world-class facility for which a number of people deserve great credit and thanks. I am delighted to play a small part in supporting this new initiative and hope it will build a race which attracts national and international interest. The two-mile track at the Curragh is a great test of a horse's speed and stamina and the race will take plenty of winning.”

Up to 30 runners will be permitted for the 0-110 handicap, and the winners of several staying Premier Handicaps run at more than 12f through the season will be exempt from the ballot at the final forfeit stage.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of the Curragh Racecourse, added, “This is a really exciting initiative and we are delighted to stage such a high-value race. Joe's passion for and commitment to the Curragh is palpable and he is the driving force behind the creation of this race. We hope that trainers and owners from Ireland and overseas will target this race and we look forward to a full field doing battle over the Curragh's longest distance.”

The post Irish Cesarewitch To Carry €600,000 Prize Fund appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post