Gordon Elliott to give his string an easy few days after below-par Christmas

Gordon Elliott is going to give his string an easy few days after some of his horses did not perform to expectations over the festive period.

The trainer sent out six winners from 56 runners between December 26 and 29, including Zanahiyr, a dominant winner of the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle on St Stephen's Day, but there were also some high-profile disappointments.

Champion Hurdle hope Abacadabras was found to have mucus in his lungs following a below-par effort in the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle, Samcro was pulled up and Presenting Percy was a distant eighth in the Savills Chase, in which Delta Work unseated Sean Flanagan.

Elliott confirmed he will give this horses an easy few days having withdrawn his four runners from Limerick on Wednesday.

"We had a good Christmas with six winners across the four days but a few of the horses ran below par," said Elliott, who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

"Abacadabras came back with mucus in his lungs and there were others who disappointed us a little. We'll give them all a few easy days and regroup in the new year. We'll have runners at Punchestown on Thursday and Tramore on New Year’s Day."

Read more:

Monalee set for spell on the sidelines after picking up a knock

Tramore task made easier for Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo

'It looked for all the world he needed two and a half' - Henderson on Altior

£100,000 Cheltenham bonus for Morebattle winner as Kelso prize-money boosted

Watch live races through the Racing Post website. Log in to your bookmaker account via the bookmaker button at the top of the page and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here