Scalpnagoon

Both wins came earlier this year, first at Thurles in January 2025 and then at Naas in February, and Elliott was cautious after each of them, noting he had been worried about the wet ground both days. The fact that Scalpnagoon won anyway — and did so with what the trainer called a good attitude — told him something. This is a horse that finds a way. Since those two wins he has not hit the top spot in six races, but his recent form reads 2-4-3-2-2-3, meaning he has barely been out of the money. He is the horse that keeps turning up in the finish, just not quite in front.

The reason to get interested now is that Elliott, who operates one of the most formidable yards in Ireland — 210 winners already this season from his base in Longwood, Co Meath — believes a switch to jumping fences is where Scalpnagoon will find another gear. Speaking recently, he said the horse is big and strong, and that chasing will bring out more improvement. He first flagged this possibility straight after the Naas win in February, describing Scalpnagoon as a horse that would jump a fence in time. The fact he is still saying it now, with a beginners' chase described as the near-term target, suggests this has always been the plan. Elliott is not guessing — he is patient.

Scalpnagoon raced just yesterday, so he is right in the thick of his season. For a horse that has placed in well over half his races and is about to be handed what his trainer genuinely believes is a new opportunity, this feels like a profile worth revisiting in a few months.