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| Staff Writer |
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Irish jumps trainer Gordon Elliott is making plans for the biggest week of the British Flat season at Royal Ascot with some of his top stars.
Pied Piper, a top-class hurdler rated 156, could make two appearances at the royal meeting, with Elliott eyeing the Ascot Stakes and the Queen Alexandra for the 6YO.
Additionally, Boodles Juvenile Hurdle third Ndaawi and Party Central have also been penciled in for races at the prestigious event. Zaynab is also on course for a crack at the Sandringham Stakes as part of Elliott's team for Royal Ascot.
Elliott said: "We could have a strong enough team heading over to Ascot, maybe four or five will make the trip and hopefully we have some nice chances among them. Pied Piper will run in the Ascot Stakes and could show up again on the Saturday for the Queen Alexandra, if that goes well. He was a bit unlucky in the Ascot Stakes two years ago when he got no luck in running.
Elliott added: "Ndaawi has the option of the Ascot Stakes or the Copper Horse Handicap and I do think Party Central is absolutely made for the 1m6f handicap [Copper Horse] if she can sneak into it. She has loads of pace and you'd have to be happy with her run at Down Royal last week. She's coming along nicely."
Party Central is owned by Noel and Valerie Moran of Bective Stud, as is Zaynab, who would be an intriguing contender in the Sandringham Stakes over a mile.
"Zaynab is a smart filly who won twice at the Curragh already this season and the Sandingham would look a nice fit for her. She did well to win the other day and seems to be improving with every run. She's one to look forward to the reflected.