Gordon Elliott’s Beckford bids for first Group 1 win in Sunday’s Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh
Gordon Elliott is well known for his jumps success but he has a very exciting Flat youngster on his hands in Beckford who impressed in the Railway Stakes last time
GORDON ELLIOTT is confident Beckford can improve again in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
Elliott's two-year-old made a big impression when winning the Railway Stakes on his last start and he goes in search of his first Group 1 win on Sunday.
"He's in great form. Declan (McDonogh) sat on him the other week and gave him a blow over four or five furlongs in Leopardstown," said Elliott.
"This is a step up again, but he's doing everything we've asked of him.
🏇 Eamonn Hames' Top Tips for Sunday 🏇
By Eamonn Hames
- NAP 3.00 Curragh - Sizzling: 'A beaten favourite the last two starts but this looks like a golden opportunity to finally get off the mark'
- NEXT BEST 2.45 Downpatrick - Westland Row: 'Disappointing over further at Galway but this ground and trip should suit much better'
"I think he's improved. He's getting stronger. He needs to improve, so we'll see what happens."
Aidan O'Brien has dominated this event over the years, with Caravaggio providing him with a 15th success in the last 19 seasons 12 months ago.
This year's four-strong team is headed by Sioux Nation, who makes his first appearance since winning the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
The Ballydoyle handler also saddles, Actress, U S Navy Flag and Declarationofpeace.
"Declarationofpeace hasn't run since Ascot as we were a little bit disappointed with him there," O'Brien told At The Races.
"He had a little bit of a hold up about a month before and that might have affected him so he might leave that run behind and hopefully the ground might be nice and quick."
MOST READ
Romanised made a striking debut at Navan in May and was far from disgraced in finishing seventh in Ascot's Coventry Stakes.
His trainer Ken Condon said: "We like him a lot and after Sunday we will know a lot more.
"He has always given us the impression he is a good colt and in the circumstances, with him being slowly away at Royal Ascot, I felt he ran very well.
"I think he has improved since Royal Ascot and his work has been to a good standard."
The field is completed by two British challengers in Tom Dascombe's Frozen Angel and the Mick Channon-trained Helvetian.