Gordon Elliott hoping Beckford can bag him the Group 1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes on Saturday at Newmarket racecourse
Beckford is set to run in the Group 1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes and Elliott is hoping he will appreciate the step back to six furlongs
IRISH trainer Gordon Elliott is going Flat out for Group 1 glory.
The 39-year-old is better known for picking up jump racing’s greatest prizes.
On Saturday he will attempt to add Newmarket’s six-furlong Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes to his Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National trophies.
Beckford is already a Group 2 winner having landed the Railway Stakes at the Curragh in July.
He’s since returned to Ireland’s top Flat track to finish runner-up in two Group 1 prizes.
His National Stakes second to Verbal Dexterity – who he had beaten in the Railway – came over seven furlongs and Elliott is expecting Beckford to like the return to Saturday’s shorter trip.
He said: “Beckford has come out of the National Stakes well and the plan is to run him in the Middle Park.
MOST READ
“He didn’t get home over seven furlongs on a testing surface that day and this drop back to six on better ground should be in his favour.
“Newmarket is a proper racecourse and I don’t think he will have any problem handling its undulations.
“It would be very nice to win a Group 1 on the flat but don’t worry, there is no chance that I will be switching my attention away from jump racing - I have absolutely no plans to do that.”
Templegate's Treble
NAP 4.45 Lingfield -Easy Code: 'Has a decent record on the all-weather'
NEXT BEST 7.10 Chelmsford - Send Up: 'This trip can see her bag another win'
TREBLE 3.15 Beverley - The Stalking Moon: 'Still looks nicely treated'
Heartache will also be gunning for her first taste of Group 1 glory in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.
Clive Cox’s fast filly was an impressive winner of Royal Ascot’s Queen Mary Stakes before losing her unbeaten record in France.
She bounced back to form at Doncaster last time when taking the Group 2 Flying Childers.
Cox said: “I’m very pleased to report Heartache has come back 100 per cent from the Flying Childers – she’s in tremendous form.
“I think and hope that the step up to six furlongs in the Cheveley Park will be within her boundaries. I’m hopeful that the course does not get too much rain before Saturday.
“Heartache is clear very classy and, as a very well-balanced filly, I hope that she will handle the course well.
“Adam Kirby missed out as he was unable to do the weight in the Flying Childers but will be back on board on Saturday.”