American Mike up in trip for hurdling bow at Down Royal

Elliott hoping to open up options and stay away from Facile Vega at two miles.

Gordon Elliott will put American Mike’s stamina to the test when he begins his hurdling career in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle that kicks off Friday’s Down Royal card.

Snapped up for GBP 195,000 by Bective Stud owners Noel and Valerie Moran following an impressive 20-length success in a Cork point-to-point, the son of Mahler soon made his mark under rules when winning a bumper during this meeting at a canter 12 months ago.

Listed honours followed at Navan and the talented gelding was earmarked as one of Ireland’s hottest prospects heading to the following spring’s Cheltenham Festival.

However, he suffered defeat at the hands of Willie Mullins’ Facile Vega when the two clashed in both the Champion Bumper and at the Punchestown Festival, and Elliott is keen to avoid bumping into one of Closutton’s hottest prospects once again as the pair embark on their respective novice hurdle campaigns.

“American Mike has been schooling great, has got strong and we decided we’d step him out in trip as Willie Mullins’ Facile Vega looks very good over two miles,” said Elliott ahead of his hurdling bow.

“We said we’d find out early if that (two-mile-six-furlong) trip is a problem, but I don’t think it will be.”

Trainer Gordon Elliott is keen to avoid Facile Vega with American Mike this season
Trainer Gordon Elliott is keen to avoid Facile Vega with American Mike this season (Simon Marper/PA)

American Mike will be partnered by Jack Kennedy for the first time and is set to face a maximum of seven rivals, where Gavin Cromwell’s Letsbeclearaboutit could pose the biggest threat.

A three-time bumper winner, he finished second in Pattern races to both Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit on the only occasions he has tasted defeat and now returns from 580 days off the track.

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