Gordon Elliott books Jamie Spencer for Ascot raid with top hurdler Pied Piper

Gordon Elliott has snapped up the services of Jamie Spencer for Ascot Stakes hopeful Pied Piper as the high-class hurdler is primed to enhance his trainer's excellent strike-rate at the royal meeting.

Having been given entries for the Ascot Stakes over 2m4f and Copper Horse Stakes over 1m6f on day one of Royal Ascot, Elliott has confirmed to the Racing Post that his Triumph Hurdle third will be aimed at the longer-distance option.

Pied Piper holds a mark of 96 on the Flat from his spell with joint-trainers John and Thady Gosden, and it will be his first start on the level since being bought from the Queen for 225,000gns in October.

Caldwell Construction's four-year-old is priced up as 4-1 favourite with Ladbrokes ahead of the Willie Mullins-trained Bring On The Night at 5-1, while bet365 have Pied Piper, who is rated 145 over hurdles, at 6-1.

"The plan is for Pied Piper to run in the Ascot Stakes and we're looking forward to running him," Elliott said.

Pallasator: won the 2018 Queen Alexandra Stakes for Jamie Spencer and Gordon ElliottCredit: Mark Cranham

"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."

From just seven runners at Royal Ascot the Cullentra trainer has registered two successes, both in the Queen Alexandra Stakes with Commissioned (2016) and Pallasator (2018).

The latter was ridden by Spencer, who also memorably teamed up with Elliott to land the 2010 Ebor on Dirar.

Pied Piper was last seen dead-heating with Knight Salute in the Grade 1 Jewson Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree when demoted to second due to interference in the closing stages.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer added: "We'll give Pied Piper an entry for the Queen Alexandra later in the week but I'd imagine he'll just run once. We'll see how he is."

A big opportunity on day one of the royal meeting has been handed to 5lb claimer Ryan Sexton, as he looks set to ride the Elliott-trained Platinumcard in the Copper Horse Stakes.

Brother of 2013-14 Irish champion conditional rider Kevin, who won the 2014 Troytown Chase on Balbriggan for Elliott, the 18-year-old apprentice will be having his first mount for the leading trainer in Tuesday's £100,000 handicap.

Platinumcard carries the colours of the Redeemers Syndicate, which includes Honeysuckle owner Kenny Alexander, and has been running over hurdles since joining Elliott from Keith Dalgleish for £62,000 in December.

"We're planning on running Platinumcard in the Copper Horse," said Elliott.

"He looks to have plenty of weight [with 9st 6lb as it stands] so we're happy to take a bit off his back with Ryan Sexton. He's a good young jockey who seems to be riding plenty of winners."

On his only other possible runner at Royal Ascot, Elliott added: "At this stage we've got Amir Kabir entered for the Ascot Stakes and Copper Horse but it doesn't look like he'll get in."

Read more on Royal Ascot:

Day three at Royal Ascot: who remains in contention to run on Thursday?

'He makes vast appeal at 10-1' - why this horse can win at Royal Ascot 2022

A win in the royal colours at Ascot would be 'pretty amazing' - John Gosden

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