Gordon Elliott has numbers on his side as he chases third Grade 2 win

1.10 Leopardstown
Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m | 3yo | ATR/RTE2

Gordon Elliott has five arrows for his bow as he aims to hit the target for a third time in this race after wins with Carlito Brigante (2009) and His Excellency (2011), both of whom were owned by Gigginstown House Stud.

On this occasion, the maroon corner of Elliott's assault consists of Coko Beach and Flat To The Max, with Gigginstown boss Eddie O'Leary more hopeful rather than confident about the pair.

"I'd imagine Willie's and Gordon's other runners will be very hard to beat but we'll give it a go," he said.

"Coko Beach is a fine, big potential chaser and he's not your usual juvenile but he's already won a hurdle race in France so we were more or less forced into going down this route with him.

"Flat To The Max was good last time and he'll need to produce something similar if he's to have a chance in this."

Just a short head separated Elliott's pair Chief Justice and Coeur Sublime in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last month, with the latter receiving 7lb from his stablemate.

Now in receipt of just 3lb from topweight Chief Justice, who is already a four-time juvenile winner this term, Coeur Sublime will need to improve to get his revenge, but the experience he gained at Fairyhouse will be a huge plus according to owner Chris Jones.

"I thought he was brilliant at Fairyhouse and people forget he’d had just the one run on the Flat, so he’s improving," he said.

Chief Justice (right) gets the better of Coeur Sublime at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He was good at Down Royal and he was a winner everywhere bar the line at Fairyhouse, where he jumped much better than he did in the north."

He added: "I don’t think Fairyhouse really played to his strengths in that the ground was quick and it was a flat finish. I think Leopardstown will suit him better.

"There are lots of unknowns, but we’re very happy with him and the boys said he was very sharp during the week so fingers crossed he’ll be thereabouts."

The trainer's quintet is completed by Smiling Eliza, already a winner of two juvenile hurdles for the stable’s racing club.

Elliott may have numbers on his side but Willie Mullins' recent record speaks for itself.

Apple's Jade: scored in this race back in 2015Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The champion trainer has won two of the last three runnings courtesy of Apple's Jade (2015) and Bapaume (2016), and he be bidding to make that three from four with Maze Runner and La Sorelita.

Another interesting runner is Joseph O’Brien’s French recruit Filon D'oudairies.

The trainer said: "It's his first run for us. He's been working quite well, but it's a big ask for him first time over hurdles and we'll be delighted if he can pick up some prize-money."

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