Classical Creek can strike Grade One gold for in-form Elliott
SMART PROSPECT: Classical Creek made all on his hurdling debut at Navan in November and can the step to Grade One company in his stride at Navan on Sunday. Picture: Healy Racing
Classical Creek might crown a phenomenally successful festive period for Gordon Elliott by landing the Grade One Ballymore Novice Hurdle in Naas on Sunday.
Elliott and his Cullentra team have registered 23 successes since Christmas and unexposed Classical Creek might be capable of giving the team a sixth win in this traditional new year feature in Naas.
Winner of a point-to-point for Cormac Doyle and a Down Royal bumper, he filled third spot behind stable-companion Kalypso’chance on his second bumper start.
But the Walk In The Park gelding always looked likely to flourish when sent over obstacles. And he duly obliged, making all, despite jumping to his right, on his hurdling bow in Navan back in November, slamming Fillyoureye by eight lengths.
Jack Kennedy is set to ride Classical Creek ahead of stable-companions Lord Rouge and Kovanis. And he gets the nod over the Willie Mullins-trained pair Saint Baco (Paul Townend) and Sortudo (Patrick Mullins), winners of their maidens at Navan and Cork respectively.
Saint Baco might prove the better of the Closutton pair, having beaten subsequent Leopardstown winner Lazara De Star in good style in Navan.
Another to consider is Declan Queally’s I’ll Sort That, already a three-time winner over flights and winner of a Grade Three last time, but held by Sortudo on bumper form.
Elliott and Kennedy might also strike with Newbrook Diamond, already placed twice over hurdles, in the opening maiden and progressive five-year-old Kurasso Blue in the four-runner EASYFIX Equine Novice Chase.
Second to Eagle Fang on his chase debut in Thurles, Kurasso Blue took advantage of his weight allowance when outpointing Ballygunner Castle in Punchestown.
Open to plenty of improvement, he might get the better of Mark Fahey’s Fairyhouse winner Flicker Of Hope and Bossofthebrownies, a close third behind Oscars Brother and subsequent Leopardstown winner Koktail Divin in Punchestown.
Before Sunday’s Grade One in Naas, we have action at Cork Racecourse, Mallow, this afternoon, where The Reverend should prove difficult to beat on his Irish hurdling debut in the opening Happy New Year From All At Cork Maiden Hurdle.
This Willie Mullins-trained gelding won four times on the level, over staying distances, for William Haggas before being transferred to Closutton by owner Tony Bloom.
His final win in England, at Haydock Park in September, was achieved off a mark of 98, which makes him a very interesting prospect as a hurdler.
Although he’ll probably realise his hurdling potential over further, The Reverent should prove a tough nut to crack here and is expected to spark a double for Mullins and back-in-action Paul Townend, who will also have high hopes for Fillyoureye in the ITM Stallion Trail 16-17 January Maiden Hurdle.
Runner-up in his two hurdle outings, behind Classical Creek and Zanoosh respectively, he should prove even more effective over this three-mile trip and sets a decent standard.
12.35 The Reverend (NB)
1.05 Zuzukel
1.40 Fillyoureye (Nap)
2.15 Cousin Kate
2.47 Mount Shenshan
3.22 Al Kalila
3.57 Owning Flower
12.35 Speculateur
1.05 Spinola Bay
1.40 Frankie’s Freebie
2.15 Grace Faraday
2.47 Live To Laugh
3.22 Koori Star
3.57 Moonverrin
12.25 Newbrook Diamond
12.55 Run For Cover
1.25 Classical Creek (Nap)
1.55 Hartford
2.25 Kurasso Blue
2.55 Karamoja
3.30 McLaurey (NB)
12.25 Future Prospect
12.55 Cumberland River
1.25 Saint Baco
1.55 Quiryn
2.25 Bossofthebrownies
2.55 Gaooth Chuil
3.30 Battle Of Ridgeway
