Tea looking to provide more Christmas cheer for Elliott

Gordon Elliott expects the extra distance of the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday to prove crucial to Teahupoo in his rematch with Ballyburn.

The pair fought out a terrific tussle in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, with Teahupoo narrowly coming out on top by a nose.

That was only over two and a half miles, however, a distance short of Teahupoo’s best given he is a dual Grade One winner over three miles and has won and been placed on two other occasions in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Back up to that distance, a trip over which Ballyburn has not won since his point-to-point days, in-form Elliott is hopeful he will confirm the placings.

“He’s in good form, he’s well. We wouldn’t want the ground drying too much,” said Elliott, who had six winners on St Stephen’s Day in Ireland. “The step up in trip will definitely suit him.”

Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer to his father, Willie, is keen to see Ballyburn back over three miles.

“It’s obviously a rematch from the Hatton’s Grace and it’s going to be very interesting seeing Ballyburn go up to three miles,” he said.

“Teahupoo will definitely improve, so we’re going to have to step up again from the Hatton’s Grace and it’s going to be very close to call.

“Ballyburn finished very strongly at Fairyhouse, but he travels very strongly as well. Whether that’s a negative going up to three miles, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee beat Bob Olinger in the race 12 months ago with both back again and O’Brien reaching for a first-time visor for his charge.

“He’s had a good preparation and it has always been the plan to go there for his first run of the year,” said O’Brien, whose horses have been running well over the festive period.

“He has been good at Leopardstown in the past and usually good fresh, too, so we’re looking forward to the race.”