Gordon Elliott has unleashed a number of stars in the race over the years

Gordon Elliott will aim to maintain his fantastic record in the BetVictor Beginners Chase at Down Royal on Friday.

The Meath handler has unleashed a number of star chasers in the 2m3½f contest over the past few years and is aiming to win the race for the seventh time in eight years.

Since 2019, Elliott has won it with Samcro, Envoi Allen, Mighty Potter, Found A Fifty, Firefox and Romeo Coolio. He runs four in this year's renewal, with Ballyfad the clear pick of them and Jack Kennedy taking the ride.

Owned by Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud, the five-year-old beat Leader d'Allier by nine and a half lengths in a maiden at Leopardstown last Christman before finishing runner-up to Talk The Talk in the two-mile Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Ballyfad then finished tenth of 21 runners in the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival before coming third in another Grade 1 at Aintree.

Elliott, who also runs Port Authority, Sept Etoiles and Kazansky in the race, is looking forward to seeing what Ballyfad can do over the larger obstacles.

“Ballyfad wasn’t beaten far in the Turners at Cheltenham and put in another solid run when third at Aintree,” Elliott told the Racing Post. “He’s in good form and we’re looking forward to going over fences now.”

The 48-year-old, who recently got engaged to Kate Harrington, sends a big team to Down Royal for their two-day meeting. He usually does extremely well at the meeting, with Mange Tout, With Nolimit and Premier Division some of his other leading chances on Friday.

Meanwhile, Romeo Coolio will begin his season at the venue on Saturday. The seven-year-old goes in the Grade 1 BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase.

It looks a very strong renewal, with Ryanair Chase winner Heart Wood, King George victor Banbridge and 2025 Irish Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs all involved.