show me:

Valuable Ascot handicap the target for Elgin

3 minute read

Elgin will chase a hat-trick in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on December 23.

Elgin Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Worth £150,000, the race was run as the Wessex Youth Trust Handicap Hurdle last season and had previously been known as The Ladbroke.

Trained by Alan King, Elgin already has a course-and-distance win to his name this season and defied a 5lb higher mark in the Greatwood at Cheltenham. He has been raised another 6lb since then.

"The Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle is the plan for Elgin," said King.

"He hasn't done much since Cheltenham and is just cantering away at the moment. He's up to 151 now and it's getting more difficult, but there you go. I think we have got to stay down the handicap route with him for the moment.

"We also have William H Bonney (fifth behind Elgin at Cheltenham) entered. He would only be a possible at this stage and could maybe go to Sandown this weekend."

There are eight entries from Ireland, with Gordon Elliott, winner of the race with Cause Of Causes and Bayan, responsible for Mick Jazz and Veinard.

Willie Mullins could run Bapaume, Bleu Et Rouge, Cilaos Emery and Meri Devie. Completing the Irish-trained entries are Tigris River (Joseph O'Brien) and Top Othe Ra (Tom Mullins).

Nicky Henderson has entered Charli Parcs, Verdana Blue, Lough Derg Spirit and Jenkins.