Irish weekend preview: Kala Conti can strike for Elliott

It didn’t quite happen for him but, encouragingly, he returned to winning ways for his last two outings of the season, in a Grade One at Aintree and a Grade Two at Sandown. He has the size and scope to make it as a chaser and the two-mile-five trip is an ideal starting point for him. He will take beating despite the presence of Answer To Kayf, who can be even better over fences than he was over hurdles, and Waterford Whispers, Staffordshire Knot, and Twoohthree.

The nap on a difficult opening day goes to the likeable Kala Conti, who contests the Grade Three WillowWarm Hurdle. Gordon Elliott’s filly wasn’t beaten far in a Grade One on her final start of last season and made the most of a mark of 130 when winning a handicap on her return at the start of this month.

She remains capable of better, and this is certainly a much better race, but she is already a Grade Two winner and her good attitude can help her come through victorious.

The unbeaten Anzadam is interesting on debut for Willie Mullins, though the presence of a hood just raises a question, while the selection’s stablemate, Wodhooh, is putting her unbeaten record over hurdles but must overcome a 308-day absence.

The Grade One Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle is the feature on Sunday’s card but only four runners have been declared, and three of those represent Gordon Elliott. His Teahupoo is seeking a hat-trick in the race, and the Stayers’ Hurdle winner, who is at his best when fresh, is just preferred to Lossiemouth.

The latter, the 2023 Triumph Hurdle winner, went unbeaten in just three outings last season and there is no knowing where the ceiling of her ability might lie. In receipt of the mares’ allowance, she must be respected in this poorly contested but fascinating contest.

The Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle has been downgraded to Grade Two status, but it is a good renewal in which Elliott’s Romeo Coolio should take a great deal of beating.

The Champion Bumper runner-up made his hurdling debut at Down Royal and won just as a 2-13 chance ought to. This is a nice step up in grade, but he has speed in abundance and can use that asset to outpoint his rivals. Willie Mullins’ classy Flat racers Belloccio and Sea Of Sands must be considered, though they are more staying types.

On what is likely to be another great day at his local track, Elliott can also take the Grade One Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase with Firefox. A high-class bumper and hurdle horse, last season he fell a touch shy at the very top grade but has always looked likely to be seen to best effect when sent over a fence.

Nothing he did in his beginners’ chase, at Down Royal, dispelled that notion, and he can make the breakthrough at Grade One level by accounting for Heart Wood and the progressive Gorgeous Tom.