Gutsy Cormier lands Cheltenham opener for the north
- Jonathan Doidge
- 29 January 2022
The in-form Brian Ellison stable has had some tough times at Cheltenham down the years but got the north off to a flyer when Cormier landed the opener on Prestbury Park's trials day on January 29.
Well beaten when last seen in the Greatwood Hurdle here last November, the Dan Gilbert-owned six-year-old made it three wins from nine attempts over hurdles.
Under the tutelage of Jonathan Burke, the gelding travelled well just off the pace throughout, surviving a bad mistake at the sixth to hold off the sustained challenge of the Ben Pauling-trained Severance, with Hystery Bere chasing them home in third.
Success in the class 2 SSS Super Alloys Handicap Hurdle (12.15) should ensure a significant rise in the weights for Ellison's charge and it would be no surprise if he returns to Cheltenham for a tilt at the County Hurdle in a few weeks.
Burke told Racing TV "He's very tough. He's a bonny little horse. He's been a bit unlucky.
"I was worried (after his mistake) but to be fair to him when I picked him up and grabbed a hold of him he was back on the bridle immediately. Down the hill I was always confident. When we straightened up Brian said if you do get the front soon don't be afraid to kick on because if he gets into a battle he'll keep fighting.
"He's been here in the past and although he wasn't successful he had a taste of it. I suppose this track is a little bit more of a galloping track and it's a bit more forgiving and you've a bit more time."
