Cheveley Park Stud and trainer Henry De Bromhead are set to make a final decision this week ahead of the plans for superstar Quilixios and what race he will end up in at the festival, with him having entries in both the Boodles and the Triumph Hurdle.
The gelding has only been seen four times in his career, winning in March at Compiegne in France in a conditions hurdle race and from there was bought by the owners and sent over to Ireland.
He made his debut for the yard at Punchestown earlier in the month and hosed up by 13 lengths, showing signs that Elliott could have another Envoi Allen.
He then went to Down Royal last time out in October and was another impressive winner of a 3-Y-O Hurdle, seeing off the field by 20 lengths.
The exciting gelding was last seen giving a career best performance at the Dublin Racing festival when landing the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle with ease.
This event will set him up perfectly for the festival and after the event it looked a certainty to see him go for the Triumph Hurdle, but now the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle looks a serious option.
(Credit ATR) Cheveley Park director Richard Thompson said: “A decision on which race he’ll run in will be made later this week.
A smart type...
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) February 7, 2021
QUILIXIOS lands the hat-trick for Cheveley Park and Gordon Elliott with a third gear victory in the Spring Juvenile 🐎
🤔 Backing him for the Triumph?!
🎬 @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/356Y8v882h
“He’s very exciting. We have big hopes for him longer term and view him as a long-term prospect.
“The Triumph may be a little bit too quick for him, but we’ll see what Henry thinks later in the week.
“We’re quite relaxed regarding which race he goes for – because while next week is important, we want to do what is right for the horse as it’s all about the longer term with him.”
Quilixios will be part of a six-strong Cheveley Park team heading to Cheltenham with Ballyadam, A Plus Tard and Envoi Allen joining him at Henry De Bromhead's yard, with Sir Gerhard and Allaho making up the other two runners, who are under Willie Mullins.
Thompson added:I haven’t had updates from Henry or Willie on the horses that moved last Tuesday. I’ll get those later in the week, I’m sure.
“Henry and Willie are very experienced, so we hope the horses settle in. They’ve only moved up the road, so hopefully it’s not too bad.
“Of course it’s not ideal – no one wanted this situation.”