Gordon Elliott is gearing up for a critical day at the Cheltenham Festival. As of now, he has yet to secure a win this year. Notably, the trainer’s victories came at the last minute in previous festivals. In 2025, it was Wodhooh who helped him find success in the Martin Pipe, while Teahupoo clinched his first victory of 2024 in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Both horses are set to compete today.
This year, Elliott has faced challenges, including two runner-up finishes. Brighterdaysahead placed second to Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle, and Favori De Champdou finished closely behind Final Orders in the Cross Country race. Moreover, his horse Romeo Coolio, favored at 2-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, was pulled up due to jumping errors. From Elliott’s 28 runners, he is among ten that failed to finish their races.
Elliott’s Challenge Continues
Numerous horses fell short of expectations on Tuesday and Wednesday. Search For Glory was a contender in the Ultima Handicap Chase but unseated his jockey at the last fence. In the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, both Skylight Hustle and The Yellow Clay fell at the same distance from the finish.
Major Races Ahead for Elliott
Today marks a significant opportunity for Elliott as he fields a strong lineup in major events. Key contenders include:
- Oldschool Outlaw in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at 1:20 PM
- Wodhooh in the Mares’ Hurdle at 2:40 PM
- Teahupoo in the Stayers’ Hurdle at 3:20 PM
Wodhooh is particularly regarded as a strong candidate, having a single defeat in ten hurdle starts. She last triumphed in a Grade 3 race at Leopardstown. Teahupoo also comes in unbeaten this season, showcasing solid performances, particularly in the Christmas Hurdle.
The Competition
The prominent trainer Willie Mullins poses a significant challenge to Elliott. Mullins, the festival’s leading trainer, has already celebrated five wins, featuring Lossiemouth and Il Etait Temps in major races. He has several contenders competing against Elliott’s horses, such as Bambino Fever and Jade De Grugy.
Analysis of Horse Performance
Elliott’s mounts have shown mixed results. Oldschool Outlaw is noted for her high Racing Post Rating, especially after an impressive win against the favorite Bambino Fever. However, her ability on faster ground is uncertain. Meanwhile, Wingmen, another of Elliott’s contenders, has yet to prove himself in earlier races, leaving doubts about his performance potential at Cheltenham.
In the Mares’ Hurdle, Wodhooh has created significant anticipation. She remains undefeated at Cheltenham and appears to have been well-prepared for this race. Teahupoo’s form is also noteworthy; however, he must contend with quicker ground conditions than in previous successful races.
Final Thoughts
Elliott’s fortunes at the Cheltenham Festival are closely watched by enthusiasts and analysts alike. The performances of Wodhooh and Teahupoo may hold the key to reversing earlier disappointments. Given the number of challengers from rival trainers, today is pivotal for Elliott’s campaign at the festival.
