Elsworth hoping to break British Classic duck at last with Storm

David Elsworth said on Tuesday he is overdue a first British Classic triumph as he described leading Qipco 2,000 Guineas hope Swiss Storm as "in the same street" as the horses who have taken him closest to fulfilling the goal.

Elsworth, 77, has trained multiple Group 1 winners on the Flat, and won most of the biggest prizes over jumps, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Grand National, Champion Chase and King George VI Chase, but his sole Classic success was achieved in 1990 when In The Groove won the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Swiss Storm, a son of Frankel, won a Newbury maiden on his second start, after which Godolphin bought a stake in the colt from Lordship Stud, and according to some bookmakers he is Britain's leading hope for the first Classic of the 2017 Flat season.

His odds range from 14-1 to 20-1 in a market headed by Aidan O'Brien's star Churchill, with Rivet the only other British-trained colt towards the top of the betting.

Godolphin's 1999 2,000 Guineas winner Island Sands had been trained as a two-year-old by Elsworth, and both trainer and owner would dearly love Swiss Storm to deliver Classic glory on May 6.

"I've been third in the 2,000 Guineas twice, with Norse Dancer and Stubbs Art," said Elsworth. "I'm overdue, having never won a Classic in England.

"I've been third and fourth in the Derby and second in the Oaks and second in the St Leger but never managed to win one. It better happen soon as I'm not exactly in the first flush of youth.

"We're still trying to win but we're no longer a 100-horse-plus stable. We won £1 million in prize-money two years ago but normally half a million is a good season. We're not one of the big guns any more but if we get the opportunity we hope to deliver the goods."

'I'm sweet on the horse's pedigree'

Swiss Storm is likely to take in a trial before he runs at Newmarket, and Elsworth is pleased with how he has come through the winter.

He continued: "He has considerable ability but we'll be a lot wiser as to whether he can win a Guineas when we've had the trials. He's run twice and won his maiden authoritatively at Newbury. We'll have to go for one of the trials and, having won at Newbury, the Greenham might be favourite.

"Most people were Frankel fans and I trained four out of the dam who were all black-type horses - and the dam is by Indian Ridge, who I also trained. I'm very sweet on the horse's pedigree and him as an individual.

"If I start comparing him it might be misleading but he's in the same street. I'm sure he'll figure prominently with those with a chance but whether he's the best, who knows? I'm not going to start tempting providence but he gets you out of bed in the mornings."

Elsworth also has Racing Post Trophy sixth Sir Dancealot in the Newmarket Classic and said he could tackle the Free Handicap before any decision is made on the Guineas.

Rivet options

Meanwhile a comeback target for Racing Post Trophy winner Rivet has yet to be decided by trainer William Haggas, who may consider running him in the Craven Stakes to establish how he copes a second time with the Rowley Mile.

Rivet was only fifth of seven in the Dewhurst on his previous visit to the track, before bouncing back to winning form in the Doncaster Group 1 next time out.

"It's well versed we didn't think he enjoyed the undulations at Newmarket, but there's only one 2,000 Guineas," said Haggas.

Rivet: may not have been suited by the course when he flopped in the DewhurstCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"We may run him in the Craven to see, or we may run him at Newcastle or in the Greenham at Newbury.

"I don't think we saw him at his best in the Dewhurst and there could be two or three credible reasons for that, one of which is the track. I'm not convinced that was the only factor but if I ran him in the Craven and he was all at sea then I could rule the course out.

"He's definitely going to have a run in the next three weeks."

Nearly man: Elsworth in the Classics

2,000 Guineas

Norse Dancer 3rd (2003)

Stubbs Art 3rd (2008)

Derby

Mighty Flutter 3rd (1984)

Norse Dancer 4th (2003)

Oaks

In The Groove 4th (1990)

Jaffa Line 4th (1991)

Spot Prize 4th (1994)

Something Exciting 2nd (2005)

St Leger

The Geezer 2nd (2005)