3 minute read

Trainer Gordon Elliott is considering switching Irish Point to the Champion Hurdle, following the withdrawal of antepost favourite Constitution Hill.

Originally set for a run in the Stayers' Hurdle, the Robcour-owned gelding is unbeaten in two starts this season, including a comfortable eleven length victory in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown in late December. It will be the six-year-old's first run at the Cheltenham Festival, having swerved last year in favour of a victory in the Grade 3 Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle before triumphing in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

In an interview with Racing TV, Elliott said: "I'm keen to run him.

"State Man is going to be very hard to beat, but I'd prefer to take him on around Cheltenham rather than going round Punchestown or Leopardstown.

"He's the horse everyone has to beat and he looks a good thing, but I'd like to take him on with Irish Point.

"We're going to be second favourite if Lossiemouth doesn't run, I'll have a chat with Brian (Acheson of owners Robcour) in the morning and we'll go through the horses, but I'd be keen to run him.

"He's a classy horse, I think he'll run a big race. The track will suit him and the ground, being a bit soft, I think will suit him.

"The favourite's going to be very hard to beat but you should never be afraid of one horse. He hasn't many miles on the clock and I think the race could suit him, I'm keen to run him."

Irish Point is currently 4/1 third-favourite in the Champion Hurdle market with Paddy Power.