Gordon Elliott and Joseph O’Brien runners at Naas in Ireland on Saturday are tipped to go well with Synopsis and Elysian Plains amongst Elliott stable entries, and O’Brien’s Commandant and Front View set to shine.
County Meath based trainer Elliott has been in fine form this week in the wake of racing in Britain being suspended after an equine flu outbreak.
The outbreak lead to racing being abandoned in Britain on Thursday. A decision will be made on Monday as to whether the ban will remain in force.
Elliott, who had runners at Ayr on Wednesday, and has horses in an isolation yard, said: “Horses that went to Ayr will be quarantined as long as they have to be.”
Elliott added: “Hopefully everything will get back to normal in Britain as quickly as possible.
“It’s business as usual, from our point of view, regarding racing in Ireland.”
With racing at Newbury, Lingfield, Uttoxeter, Warwick and Wolverhampton being abandoned The Leader will concentrate on Naas, where seven races will take place.
British trainer Paul Nicholls cannot have runners until stables are confirmed as free of infection, with British horses barred from being entered in races in Ireland.
“At present it’s just the one yard affected (Donald McCain) and hopefully it will stay that way,” said Nicholls.
“We had all our horses vaccinated over Christmas and new year, which is normal policy.”
Elliott saddles Synopsis (2.10) a distance winner in the BBA Ireland Chase over 2 miles.
Elysian Plains (2.40) runs in the EMS Copiers Rated Novices Hurdle over 2 miles, being a winner over the distance.
Roaring Bull (3.10) is tipped in the O’Driscoll O’Neil handicap Chase over 2 miles 4 furlongs, the Elliott runner along with Bilbo Bagins, both each way selections.
Elliott’s Empire Burleque (3.40), a distance winner over 2 miles, is an each way selection in the 23 runners Adare Manor Opportunity handicap hurdle; with the Joseph O’Brien trained Commandant tipped to win.
O’Brien, eldest son of Ballydoyle ace trainer Aidan, based at County Kilkenny, runs Front View (4.10) a beaten favourite last time out, expected to make amends in the Jordan’s Centra Pro Am Flat Race over 2 miles.
Leader selections: City Island (12.40); Debuchet (1.10); All For Joy (1.40); Synopsis (2.10) ; Elysian Plains (2.40) ; Roaring Bull ew; Bilbo Bagins ew (3.10); Commandant, Empire Burleque ew (3.40); Front View (4.10).
