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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Gordon Elliott targeting Royal Ascot win with horse previously owned by the Queen

Gordon Elliott is targeting his third Royal Ascot success with a horse previously owned by the Queen on the opening day of the meeting.

Top class hurdler Pied Piper runs in the Ascot Stakes on Tuesday and is towards the top of the market for the 2m4f contest, which starts at 5pm.

The four-year-old has a mark of 96 on the flat from his days with the father/son training partnership of John and Thady Gosden and will be partnered by Jamie Spencer.

Pied Piper was purchased by Caldwell Construction for 225,000 guineas last October after winning two races on the flat for the Gosdens.

He was very impressive when bolting up in a Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham in January before going on to finish third in the Triumph itself behind Vauban and stablemate Fil Dor.

He was demoted to second behind Knight Salute after causing interference in a Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree when last seen back in April.

Speaking on his chances at Royal Ascot, Elliott told The Racing Post: "He didn't do much wrong over hurdles last season and this will be his first run on the Flat since joining us. He seems in good form."

But it's Willie Mullins who is responsible for the favourite in the race with Bring On The Night, who previously won two flat races in France before moving to Closutton.

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