Delta Can Work His Magic

Paul Ferguson looks ahead to the thrilling Jumps action

Gordon Elliott invariably gets his bigger named horses ready for Down Royal in early November and it seems like that will be the case once again, with Delta Work being aimed at the JNWine.com Champion Chase on Saturday, November 2.

Last season’s RSA Chase third remains unexposed as a staying chaser and can announce himself in open company by providing Gigginstown House Stud with a sixth successive win in the race. Elliott has won the contest three times in the past six years himself and he also introduced Delta Work in the beginners chase over 2m4f at this two-day fixture 12 months ago. This time around, he intends on running Samcro in the race and the seven-year-old, who hasn’t been seen since the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown, can make it a meeting to remember for connections.

Beaten on his reappearance at this fixture last year, the previous season’s Ballymore winner struggled with his wellbeing thereafter and comes into this campaign with a little less pressure on him. In fact, in contrast to last year when his name was on just about everyone’s lips, he has been somewhat forgotten by many, and it will be nice to see him back in the winners’ enclosure. It should be remembered that he beat Elegant Escape in his Point-to-Point, and he could easily make a big splash in the novice chase division.

WETHERBY