Matt Chapman talks all things Gordon Elliott and the Shergar Cup in this week’s column

A JUMPS trainer winning a Group 1 two-year-old race on the Flat.

That’s not something that happens every day of the week. But it could happen in Ireland tomorrow.

Yes, Gordon Elliott, the Meath maestro, sends out hot favourite Beckford for the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh, live on At The Races at 3.35pm.

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Beckford has been huge in two juvenile efforts, slamming Red Persian (a winner since) at The Curragh on debut before holding off Verbal Dexterity by a length in the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the same track.

Both were over six furlongs, as is tomorrow’s feature, which has been won by stars like George Washington, Johannesburg and Turtle Island.

🏇 Matt Chapman's TV tips 🏇

By Matt Chapman

Ascot 1.05 - Lexington Abbey: 'Back to form when a cracking fourth behind Danzeno at this track'

Ascot 1.40 - Angel Gabrial: 'Run well the last twice and stays strong'

Haydock 1.55 - Zubayr: 'Good second last time and turf is no problem'

Ascot 2.15 - Mukhayyam: 'Good winner at Ripon last time and can defy the penalty'

Haydock 2.30 - Laraaib - 'Impressive at Ascot last time and is improving all the time'

Ascot 2.50 - Knight Owl: 'Has some good form in the book so can bounce back'

Ascot 3.25 - Italian Heiress: 'Lightly raced and can improve for the step up in trip'

Newmarket 3.40 - Poetic Charm: 'Looked hugely promising when making a winning debut here'

Ascot 4.00 - Nobly Born: 'Wasn't beaten far last time and I'm expecting a big effort'

Elliott is a sensation. It’s only ten years since he banged in his first winner as a trainer in Ireland, Toran Road scoring at Kilbeggan in May 2007.

He had previously sent out Arresting to win at Perth in June a year earlier.
The Meath man quickly exploded on the scene at the age of just 29 by saddling his first runner in the Grand National at Aintree.

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Silver Birch was a 33-1 outsider in 2007, but powered home getting the better of McKelvey and Slim Pickings.

It has been anything but slim pickings for Elliott ever since, and he trains for some of the most powerful owners in the business, including Gigginstown, JP McManus, Simon Munir & Isaac Souede and Paul & Clare Rooney.

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Since that Grand National success Elliott has been top trainer at Cheltenham this year, nearly beaten Willie Mullins to the Irish title, as well as recording huge wins with Don Cossack, Apple’s Jade and Cause Of Causes.

Aidan O’Brien has had his fair share of jumps horses, including the incredible Istabraq, who won three Champion Hurdles.

But it is rare for an out-and-out jumps handler to have top-class juveniles. Beckford is a massive runner for Elliott.

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So far the young genius has laughed off expectation, saying the Flat game is just “a bit of fun” to keep stable life ticking over during quieter summer months.

But the prize-money on offer on the Flat is much more than a bit of fun. If Elliott lands the big pot tomorrow who knows what other owners might come on board?

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The key to Elliott’s success is his background. He has learnt from some of the shrewdest around, and from the most forward-thinking.

At the age of 13, Elliott linked himself to Tony Martin, a wizard of a handler, and would later ride for Martin Pipe as an amateur.

It’s the Pipe connection that has really made Elliott. He’s in the Pipe mould in his way of thinking. Pipe rewrote the record books, sending out more than 4,000 winners.

But it’s easy to forget they included six Royal Ascot wins.

Beckford will be ridden by former champion, the Enforcer Declan McDonogh, who said: “I sat on him last week at The Curragh on the Old Vic gallop and I’m really looking forward to Sunday.

“Beckford has improved since the Railway. He has done nothing wrong as an unbeaten colt in two starts but it’s a big step up, with Ballydoyle having plenty of good horses in it.

“He’s got a great chance, though, and I thought he was impressive last time. He’s straightforward, there are no chinks in him and he seems to go on any ground.”

Pipe revealed the best advice he was ever given was from his old man, Dave, who told him: “There is no such word as can’t. You can do anything if you try.”

It appears Elliott has also taken that advice on board.