Elliott preparing a big team for Galway highlights as he chases first Hurdle win

Chosen Mate has been identified as the chosen one for the Guinness Galway Hurdle as Gordon Elliott attempts to plunder a first victory in the most valuable hurdle race in Ireland.

Elliott, who masterminded a third Grand National triumph when Tiger Roll recorded back-to-back wins at Aintree in April, has one eye on his legion of winter warriors as they return from their summer holidays but not before he unleashes a power-packed squad on Galway's seven-day marathon beginning on Monday.

Chosen Mate, a Grade 2-winning novice hurdler last term, is no bigger than 10-1 for Thursday week's €300,000 showpiece and will head to Galway having blown the cobwebs away on the Flat at Leopardstown last week as the trainer attempts to bring a long-term plan to fruition.

Gordon Elliott: 'We have found it hard over the past couple of years come July and August to get staff so we're advertising good and early.'Credit: Patrick McCann

Elliott said: “Chosen Mate has a good chance in the Galway Hurdle. He had a nice run at Leopardstown on his return and that will have left him spot on for this.

“He's a classy horse and we've had our eye on this race for a while.

“He has the option of going chasing, and he can always do that later in the season, but we thought this was worth looking at.”

Elliott’s Galway Hurdle entries are completed by Tombstone who, according to the trainer has two ways of running, and Star Maker, who looks unlikely to make the cut.

“Tombstone can either run very well or very bad but he's been a good horse down the years and he'll also go for it," Elliott added. "If he came back to the form he showed in some of the Graded races last year he'd have a chance but he's becoming a bit hard to predict.”

On Star Maker, the trainer said: “He might struggle to get in but, if he does, I could see him running well.”

Gordon Elliott: sent out Clarcam to win the Galway Plate last summerCredit: Patrick McCann

Elliott has won two of the past three Tote.com Galway Plates, with Lord Scoundrel scoring in 2016 before Clarcam made all under Mark Enright 12 months ago.

He expects to be well represented again next Wednesday, with Mengli Khan, last seen finishing down the field in the Ascot Stakes, vying for favouritism at 10-1.

“We've got a good few options for the Plate and we'll probably run as many as we can," Elliott said. "Not many people would have predicted Clarcam winning the Plate last summer, so if you're not in you can't win.

“Mengli Khan will definitely run and he's in good form. Barra will run as well. She's been raised four pounds for falling at the last in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan last Friday, but looked like she'd have got more if she'd stayed on her feet. She could have a decent chance as well.”

On the remainder of his Plate challengers, Elliott said: “Ravenhill is another one who looks as though he's got a nice weight and he'll definitely run, while this has been the plan for Three Musketeers for a while as he runs well fresh. He doesn't show a whole pile at home, but seems well.

“Ball D'Arc and A Toi Phil ran over hurdles at Killarney last week and could go for it as well.”

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