More Perth joy for Gordon Elliott? We assess his five chances on Wednesday

Gordon Elliott has had an incredible 187 winners from 661 runners at Perth, whose three-day festival kicks off on Wednesday.

The trainer has accumulated over £1.1m in prize money at the Scottish track and sends five runners over from Ireland as he begins his latest raid.

Elliott has a 28 per cent strike rate at the track while also saddling 146 runners to finish second, 84 to come third and 55 fourth.

A tally of two winners at the Cheltenham Festival was fewer than the norm for Elliott but he had five winners at Fairyhouse and Cork over Easter to suggest the yard is warming up again.

So what chance do his five runners have on Wednesday?

Delta Work: was just one of two winners for Elliott at CheltenhamCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Laffite

1.50 Heidsieck Monopole "Party Has Started" Maiden Hurdle (2m4f)

After a 222-day layoff earlier in the season, he was unable to make his mark in a pair of bumpers. However, his most recent outing, a 2m maiden hurdle at Wexford, resulted in progression when he finished well to take second behind Mount Brown.

Elliot said: "Laffite ran well at Wexford last time out. He looks to be suited to hurdles and should go well."

Spotlight verdict: Well beaten in three bumpers but fared considerably better when second of 14 on last month's hurdle debut at Wexford (2m, heavy); needs to improve again but that's possible if the different trip and ground combination suits.

Coach Carter

He has had a very mixed career so far, but an impressive run in the Hillhouse Quarry saw him finish a close second behind Beakstown. Elliott will hope his last run has given him the confidence to go one better.

Elliott said: "He ran a good race at Ayr earlier in the month. I'm hoping he can improve again for that."

Spotlight verdict: Looked a useful recruit when readily beating a stablemate on chasing debut at Listowel (2m1f, good to yielding) last autumn and he recorded a personal best when second of seven at Ayr (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; a repeat of that form should see him go close, and there may well be better still to come.

The Goffer

3.35 British EBF William Hill Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (3m)

The Goffer comes into this after finishing 15th in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. Prior to that, he has earned victories at Thurles and Navan and he will face five other rivals in this listed race.

The Goffer: ran well to land a novice hurdle at ThurlesCredit: Patrick McCann

Elliott said: "The Goffer ran in a competitive race at Cheltenham, but he ran some very good races before that and we’re hoping for a good run."

Spotlight verdict: Never really got involved when making handicap debut at last month's Cheltenham Festival but kept on well to win Grade 3 novice at Thurles (2m4f, soft) two starts ago; probably has untapped potential over 3m.

Daphne Moon

4.10 William Hill Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase (Listed Race) (3m)

Sean Bowen is set to ride four of Elliott's runners at Perth on Wednesday including Daphne Moon, who is making her fifth start of the season. The seven-year-old steps up to this trip for the second time after failing to complete in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in January.

Elliott said: "I will be happy to get some black type into her and I would be delighted if she finished third in this race."

Spotlight verdict: 1-13 under rules; best efforts last two starts, 9l fourth in novice at Down Royal (2m4f, yielding to soft) on latest; may have more to offer over today's longer trip but she has work to do with the form principals.

Getaway Goldie

4.41 Canine Partners Mares' Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)

The Meath handler will saddle Getaway Goldie for her first appearance of the season. After going chasing in summer, the six-year-old returns to hurdles for the first time since finishing third in a 2m4f handicap at Fairyhouse in March 2021.

Elliott said: "It's her first run of the year. Hopefully a return to hurdles can see her bounce back to some form."

Spotlight verdict: Began chasing career with two disappointing runs for Denise Foster last summer and not seen again since but was placed on handicap hurdle debut at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) last March and still has very low mileage; will need to be taken very seriously if strong in the betting.

Betfair have odds of 7-2 for Elliott to train two or more winners, and 20-1 to train three or more winners in Scotland this afternoon.

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