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Best bunch of horses for The Festival - Gordon Elliott
Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - Gordon Elliott, the main challenger in Ireland to Willie Mullins' dominance, is building up his stable's strength.
In a media stable visit, organised by Cheltenham Racecourse, this morning, the ambitious trainer outlined his strong team for The Festival next month.
Elliott said: "I would say we will have close to 25 horses for The Festival.
"We have definitely got our best bunch going over and it is nice to have a few horses for the Graded races.
"This is the first year we are going over with horses disputing favouritism for the Gold Cup and the RSA Chase.
"We have got good each-way chances in a few of the other big races and millions for the handicaps. They are an exciting bunch as well."
The trainer spoke about some of his challengers this morning.
Don Cossack : "Don Cossack is a good-looking horse and does everything well. There hasn't been too much wrong for the last couple of years apart from falling in the King George and when he was beat in the Ryanair.
"They are the only two times he has been beaten in the last two seasons and you could arguably say he was unlucky both times.
"I didn't always think he wanted nice ground. When he was a bumper horse, I thought he was a mudlark. That shows how wrong I was and maybe that is why his novice hurdle season was not as good as we hoped.
"In latter years, the quicker the ground the better he is and the more the ground dries out, the better his chance in the Gold Cup.
"He will have one more piece of work before the Gold Cup. They do plenty at home cantering away. I travel a lot of horses over to England and for me that is like their last bit of work. You have to leave a little bit in them because you can empty them very quick going over.
"I was delighted with him (schooling) at Leopardstown. It was a bit frightening looking at it because I told them to go steady but they got a bit excited. Don Cossack and No More Heroes jumped from fence to fence and I could not have been happier.
"Why do you think Davy Russell was riding him there? I hope Bryan (Cooper) rides him in the Gold Cup but if he doesn't I will still have my arm around him because he is a big part of our team. Bryan might ride Don Poli, Road To Riches or Valseur Lido, I don't know.
"I wouldn't be shocked if he didn't ride Don Cossack. I think the Willie Mullins' factor is bigger than the Gordon Elliott factor. No matter what anyone says, if Willie bounces out and has three winners on the Tuesday it has to be in the back of your mind.
"I think if the ground came up on the softer side, he would definitely ride Don Poli. He probably knows in the back of his head who he is going to ride but he is not telling any of us.
"I hope he rides Don Cossack, but if he doesn't Davy Russell is there, Richard Johnson is there and Barry Geraghty is there. There are loads of those lads without rides in the Gold Cup. Cheltenham is still a long way away but there won't be a shortage of jockeys.
"We let Davy have a sit on but there isn't much to it. I could have let Nina Carberry or Jamie Codd ride him. There was no big plan behind Davy riding him.
"I would say it is unlikely that Don Cossack will be wearing headgear. He went around Leopardstown the other day on a bit better ground and he jumped, travelled and did everything right.
"I don't know why people can question Don Cossack's record in Cheltenham. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am more concerned about the ground.
"Djakadam's record there reads two falls from three starts. Don Cossack has been Cheltenham twice. He fell when travelling well the first day and got deplorable ride last year from Bryan Cooper. He put his hands up and said it. It wasn't his finest hour but we are a team here and we discuss it. Bryan know what he needs to do the next day.
"I am most worried about Willie Mullins in the Gold Cup. Obviously, you have to have massive respect for Cue Card but he travels so well and I just wonder will he get home. Vautour has so much pace but will he stay? Djakadam has been there and finished second. We know he stays and, for me, he is the one to beat."
No More Heroes : "I thought he was very good schooling at Leopardstown. He jumped bit big over the first couple and that I why we wanted to get him out because he has not run since Christmas. He went around there with a Gold Cup horse and the highest rated chaser in training. I think he would have learnt more there than he did in his novice chases.
"If we get him to the RSA Chase in one piece, we will be looking forward to it. More Of That should be favourite - he is a stayers' hurdle winner and is unbeaten in four or five starts around Cheltenham. When you have a horse like that in race, it takes the pressure of me.
"No More Heroes is a stayer but he's not slow. Jumping is his game and I think Cheltenham will suit him."
Ball D'Arc : "He is in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and a few handicaps. We want to see what weight he gets before deciding which route to go. He is not definite to go and it will depend on what Gigginstown (owner) want to do with their other horses.
"He has been a different horse in the second half of the season. I would say nice ground is a massive help to him. His last two wins have been very good and if we had a few more like him we would be OK.
"He will be some horse to jump a fence with next season."
Bless The Wings : "He will for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, although he will be wrong at the weights with a lot of horses. He was second in a Kim Muir and the owners sponsor the yard, so we will let him take his chance."
Bright New Dawn : "He is a bit of a boy and will either run very bad or very well. The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual will suit him because he can drop in and they go flat out in that race.
"He won the last day and Felix Yonger has been a length either side him on his last few runs. I just could not rely on him."
Campeador : "The plan is the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdlle.
"He ran too keen in Leopardstown, having won very well in France. He is working well at home and it will be interesting to see what mark he gets. We like him and he is a nice horse.
"He will have to improve a lot on his last run but hopefully he will. He was wearing a hood this morning and I will have to speak to connections, but he will probably wear it at Cheltenham."
Causes Of Causes : "He has been some horse for us. He won a Ladbroke Hurdle, was second in a Galway Hurdle, was just beaten in the Kim Muir and won the four-miler.
"He will either go for the Ultima Handicap Chase or the Kim Muir. He is working very well and we are absolutely thrilled with him. You saw him there this morning, he was pulling the arms out of Jamie Codd.
"I would love to go for the Kim Muir with Jamie riding but it will be up to connections.
"His jumping is getting better. He gets caught out in Ireland on that heavy ground - he doesn't have the scope - but on good ground he is very good."
Definite Ruby : "I'm not sure she will get in the Kim Muir but if she does she will run. She has been to Cheltenham and placed a few times."
Desoto County : "He was a bit unlucky in the Coral Hurdle at Leopardstown. He missed the start and was too far out of it before flying home. That was his second run for us.
"He has got a mark of 147 and I said there is no point running him again so he is going straight for the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle.
"He came out Leopardstown great. He looks like a bull and I could not be happier with him."
Diamond King : "He won nicely at Punchestown last time and we decided to leave him after that. He goes straight for the Coral Cup and seems in great form. It has been the plan since he came here really so we are really looking forward to it."
Eshtiaal : "He won three or four for us last year, won on the Flat at York and then he was second in the American Grand National in October.
"We have given him a nice break and he is working very well. I would say he will go for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle with Luke Dempsey on him."
Fagan : "He went to Musselburgh the other day and was just beaten by O O Seven. I thought it was a very good run and he will go for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. He is owned by Ronnie Bartlett and it will be nice to support his race.
"Fagan won't disgrace himself. We will drop him in and I bet there will be more horses behind him than in front him at the finish."
Jetstream Jack : "He is in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle and the Coral Cup. I will have to speak to Graham and Diana Whateley as they have other horses, but he is a nice horse.
"If he goes for anything, it will probably be the Martin Pipe."
Killer Crow : "He will go for the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase on the first day. He was second in the Leopardstown Handicap Chase the last day and we said we would mind him for this.
"He has got a mark of 136 in England and it is a 0-140, so I think it will be a tight enough race.
"The horses he has finished around have franked the form. He doesn't want heavy ground and I think the ground on the first day of The Festival will be beautiful. I think the race is made for him and he has a good each-way chance."
Missy Tata : "She was really impressive in Down Royal the first day and then disappointing in a Graded race at Fairyhouse. She finished second but I was disappointed.
"She is back in good form now and will go for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, all being well."
Noble Endeavor : "He was just beaten by Killultagh Vic at Cheltenham last year. He has finished around a few of the favourites for the National Hunt Chase, including Roi Des Francs, in all his beginners' chases on very soft ground.
"I think four miles at Cheltenham will be right up his alley and Jamie Codd will ride him if he runs. He is in a few of the handicaps as well and we want to see what way he is handicapped but, if I get my way, he will definitely be going for the four-miler.
"His form is solid and it's always a help when you have been to Cheltenham and done it. He races behind the bridle which is why I think the four-miler will really suit him. No disrespect but if you've got Jamie Codd, Derek O'Connor, Nina Carberry or one of those senior amateurs they are worth a stone in those races."
Our Father : "I'm sure everyone knows about Our Father. He seems to run well fresh and that is why we are going straight for the Kim Muir. He is in the Grand National but isn't going to get in. If he was he would have gone straight there instead.
"The owners wanted to give him a change of scenery and obviously I am good friend of David Pipe's so it was better that he came me rather than someone else!
"He has had his fair share of problems and David has done a wonderful job with him. I wouldn't say we can improve him but he is good fresh and might be down to fair mark. And with Nina Carberry riding, it will be a massive help.
"He works very well and you only have to look at the paper and see the prices he's gone off at - that tells you he's probably always worked well."
Prince Of Scars : "I want better ground for a lot of my horses but it is opposite with him. If the ground was soft he wouldn't be without a chance in the Ryanair World Hurdle.
"He is rated 155 and beat Alpha Des Obeaux and the rest of them all well in Leopardstown. The ground is the key and, if it isn't on the easy side, we will take the shoes off and put him away for next year. He will be a proper staying chaser."
Squouateur : "He has done nothing wrong this season. He won in Leopardstown and the last day at Fairyhouse. He is a J P McManus horse and will probably run in either the Coral Cup or Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle.
"I think the latter race would suit him well with Jack Kennedy riding him but it will be up to connections as they have so many horses. Maybe they might want to keep him for Fairyhouse or Aintree."
Taglietelle: "He was just beaten in the Coral Cup last year and ran a very good race in Musselburgh the last day with top-weight. Richard Johnson said had he jumped the second last, he thought he would have won.
"He goes for the Pertemps Final and Jack Kennedy will take a few pounds off. I bet he will run well."
The Game Changer : "He will go for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Chase, all being well.
"He has won four or five chases including three Graded races during the summer. The better the ground the better the chance he'd have, although it will be very hard to beat Douvan if he stays up.
"We're playing for places really but if the ground dried up he would have a good each-way chance. He has also had a wind operation since his last race, so we are looking forward to it.
"He used to be a bleeder but he lives outside now and has been a different horse since we have done that."
Tombstone : "He is in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle. At this stage, I'd say we are leaning towards the Supreme.
"He has been very good, being just beaten in two Grade Ones. I thought we were a bit unlucky the first day but the second day there was no excuse - we just got outstayed by a better horse on the day.
"He was way too keen over Christmas and I thought he should have won that day. He got knocked down turning in but that is racing and it's over now so you worry about the next day.
"I will definitely leave the hood on him."
Vercingetorix : "He works like a machine at home but doesn't do it on the track. That is the same with most horses.
"He ran well in the Ladbroke Hurdle to be seventh and I'd say the hustle and bustle of Cheltenham will suit him. He is up to winning one of these big handicaps."
Westend Star : "He is in a few races but I might just aim for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. We will see how he is handicapped.
"He has done nothing wrong and was just beaten in a Grade Three at Clonmel last time. It was horrible gluey ground and he hated it. He never went a yard and did well to finish where he did.
"Young Jack (Kennedy) rode him when he won in Down Royal and he never missed a beat. Barry (Geraghty) rode him in Thurles and said when he was out on his own he was lackadaisical at his hurdles but when he pulled him inside he winged them. I am not worried about his jumping to be honest."
Whistle Dixie: "She was third to Willie's mare last time (Limini) who they say can't be beaten. On the day Limini won really well but ours came back with a few little problems. If we can rectify that, she is a good mare although I'm not saying she will reverse the form at Cheltenham.
"She hasn't been easy to train but if we can get her there she would have a good each-way chance. She is a full-sister to Kicking King."
Gordon Elliott stable visit, Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Cullentra, Longwood, Co Meath
Synopsis - Has risen to become one of Ireland's leading Jump trainers since taking out his licence 10 years ago. Shot to international prominence with victory in the 2007 Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree, aged 29, despite having not had a winner back home, and has gone on to record numerous major wins in Ireland and Britain, including five successes at The Festival.
Born - March 2, 1978
Background - a successful point-to-point rider, who also partnered winners under Rules. Started his racing career while still at school, working at Tony Martin's stable in County Meath. From there, he moved to Britain, joining Martin Pipe in 2002, and during his spell in Somerset his six rides as an amateur included one winner.
Elliott then returned to Ireland for another term at Martin's stables. Started training from Capranny Stables in Trim, Co Meath in early 2006 and bought Cullentra House farm in 2011.
He has emerged over the last few seasons as the main challenger to Willie Mullins' dominance in Ireland and has already sent out more than 100 winners at home this season.
First winner as a trainer - Arresting, Fugro-Technip Handicap Hurdle, Perth, June 11, 2006
Cheltenham Festival wins (5)
2011: 2 - National Hunt Chase (Chicago Grey), Coral Cup (Carlito Brigante)
2013: 1 - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Flaxen Flare)
2014: 1 - JCB Triumph Hurdle (Tiger Roll)
2015: 1 - National Hunt Chase (Cause Of Causes)
Other major wins include:
Crabbie's Grand National (2007 Silver Birch)
Betfred Ebor (2010 Dirar)
Drinmore Novice Chase (2010 Jessies Dream, 2013 Don Cossack, 2015 No More Heroes)
Powers Gold Cup (2013 Realt Mor)
Punchestown Champion Novice Chase (2013 Mount Benbulben)
JNWine.com Champion Chase (2013 Roi Du Mee, 2015 Don Cossack)
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (2014 Don Cossack)
Racing Post Novice Chase (2014 Clarcam)
Manifesto Novices' Chase (2015 Clarcam)
Melling Chase (2015 Don Cossack)
Punchestown Gold Cup (2015 Don Cossack)
Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle (2015 Prince Of Scars)
Neville Hotels Novice Chase (2015 No More Heroes)
Tuesday, March 1, 2016 - Gordon Elliott, the main challenger in Ireland to Willie Mullins' dominance, is building up his stable's strength.
In a media stable visit, organised by Cheltenham Racecourse, this morning, the ambitious trainer outlined his strong team for The Festival next month.
Elliott said: "I would say we will have close to 25 horses for The Festival.
"We have definitely got our best bunch going over and it is nice to have a few horses for the Graded races.
"This is the first year we are going over with horses disputing favouritism for the Gold Cup and the RSA Chase.
"We have got good each-way chances in a few of the other big races and millions for the handicaps. They are an exciting bunch as well."
The trainer spoke about some of his challengers this morning.
Don Cossack : "Don Cossack is a good-looking horse and does everything well. There hasn't been too much wrong for the last couple of years apart from falling in the King George and when he was beat in the Ryanair.
"They are the only two times he has been beaten in the last two seasons and you could arguably say he was unlucky both times.
"I didn't always think he wanted nice ground. When he was a bumper horse, I thought he was a mudlark. That shows how wrong I was and maybe that is why his novice hurdle season was not as good as we hoped.
"In latter years, the quicker the ground the better he is and the more the ground dries out, the better his chance in the Gold Cup.
"He will have one more piece of work before the Gold Cup. They do plenty at home cantering away. I travel a lot of horses over to England and for me that is like their last bit of work. You have to leave a little bit in them because you can empty them very quick going over.
"I was delighted with him (schooling) at Leopardstown. It was a bit frightening looking at it because I told them to go steady but they got a bit excited. Don Cossack and No More Heroes jumped from fence to fence and I could not have been happier.
"Why do you think Davy Russell was riding him there? I hope Bryan (Cooper) rides him in the Gold Cup but if he doesn't I will still have my arm around him because he is a big part of our team. Bryan might ride Don Poli, Road To Riches or Valseur Lido, I don't know.
"I wouldn't be shocked if he didn't ride Don Cossack. I think the Willie Mullins' factor is bigger than the Gordon Elliott factor. No matter what anyone says, if Willie bounces out and has three winners on the Tuesday it has to be in the back of your mind.
"I think if the ground came up on the softer side, he would definitely ride Don Poli. He probably knows in the back of his head who he is going to ride but he is not telling any of us.
"I hope he rides Don Cossack, but if he doesn't Davy Russell is there, Richard Johnson is there and Barry Geraghty is there. There are loads of those lads without rides in the Gold Cup. Cheltenham is still a long way away but there won't be a shortage of jockeys.
"We let Davy have a sit on but there isn't much to it. I could have let Nina Carberry or Jamie Codd ride him. There was no big plan behind Davy riding him.
"I would say it is unlikely that Don Cossack will be wearing headgear. He went around Leopardstown the other day on a bit better ground and he jumped, travelled and did everything right.
"I don't know why people can question Don Cossack's record in Cheltenham. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am more concerned about the ground.
"Djakadam's record there reads two falls from three starts. Don Cossack has been Cheltenham twice. He fell when travelling well the first day and got deplorable ride last year from Bryan Cooper. He put his hands up and said it. It wasn't his finest hour but we are a team here and we discuss it. Bryan know what he needs to do the next day.
"I am most worried about Willie Mullins in the Gold Cup. Obviously, you have to have massive respect for Cue Card but he travels so well and I just wonder will he get home. Vautour has so much pace but will he stay? Djakadam has been there and finished second. We know he stays and, for me, he is the one to beat."
No More Heroes : "I thought he was very good schooling at Leopardstown. He jumped bit big over the first couple and that I why we wanted to get him out because he has not run since Christmas. He went around there with a Gold Cup horse and the highest rated chaser in training. I think he would have learnt more there than he did in his novice chases.
"If we get him to the RSA Chase in one piece, we will be looking forward to it. More Of That should be favourite - he is a stayers' hurdle winner and is unbeaten in four or five starts around Cheltenham. When you have a horse like that in race, it takes the pressure of me.
"No More Heroes is a stayer but he's not slow. Jumping is his game and I think Cheltenham will suit him."
Ball D'Arc : "He is in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and a few handicaps. We want to see what weight he gets before deciding which route to go. He is not definite to go and it will depend on what Gigginstown (owner) want to do with their other horses.
"He has been a different horse in the second half of the season. I would say nice ground is a massive help to him. His last two wins have been very good and if we had a few more like him we would be OK.
"He will be some horse to jump a fence with next season."
Bless The Wings : "He will for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, although he will be wrong at the weights with a lot of horses. He was second in a Kim Muir and the owners sponsor the yard, so we will let him take his chance."
Bright New Dawn : "He is a bit of a boy and will either run very bad or very well. The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual will suit him because he can drop in and they go flat out in that race.
"He won the last day and Felix Yonger has been a length either side him on his last few runs. I just could not rely on him."
Campeador : "The plan is the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdlle.
"He ran too keen in Leopardstown, having won very well in France. He is working well at home and it will be interesting to see what mark he gets. We like him and he is a nice horse.
"He will have to improve a lot on his last run but hopefully he will. He was wearing a hood this morning and I will have to speak to connections, but he will probably wear it at Cheltenham."
Causes Of Causes : "He has been some horse for us. He won a Ladbroke Hurdle, was second in a Galway Hurdle, was just beaten in the Kim Muir and won the four-miler.
"He will either go for the Ultima Handicap Chase or the Kim Muir. He is working very well and we are absolutely thrilled with him. You saw him there this morning, he was pulling the arms out of Jamie Codd.
"I would love to go for the Kim Muir with Jamie riding but it will be up to connections.
"His jumping is getting better. He gets caught out in Ireland on that heavy ground - he doesn't have the scope - but on good ground he is very good."
Definite Ruby : "I'm not sure she will get in the Kim Muir but if she does she will run. She has been to Cheltenham and placed a few times."
Desoto County : "He was a bit unlucky in the Coral Hurdle at Leopardstown. He missed the start and was too far out of it before flying home. That was his second run for us.
"He has got a mark of 147 and I said there is no point running him again so he is going straight for the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle.
"He came out Leopardstown great. He looks like a bull and I could not be happier with him."
Diamond King : "He won nicely at Punchestown last time and we decided to leave him after that. He goes straight for the Coral Cup and seems in great form. It has been the plan since he came here really so we are really looking forward to it."
Eshtiaal : "He won three or four for us last year, won on the Flat at York and then he was second in the American Grand National in October.
"We have given him a nice break and he is working very well. I would say he will go for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle with Luke Dempsey on him."
Fagan : "He went to Musselburgh the other day and was just beaten by O O Seven. I thought it was a very good run and he will go for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. He is owned by Ronnie Bartlett and it will be nice to support his race.
"Fagan won't disgrace himself. We will drop him in and I bet there will be more horses behind him than in front him at the finish."
Jetstream Jack : "He is in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle and the Coral Cup. I will have to speak to Graham and Diana Whateley as they have other horses, but he is a nice horse.
"If he goes for anything, it will probably be the Martin Pipe."
Killer Crow : "He will go for the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase on the first day. He was second in the Leopardstown Handicap Chase the last day and we said we would mind him for this.
"He has got a mark of 136 in England and it is a 0-140, so I think it will be a tight enough race.
"The horses he has finished around have franked the form. He doesn't want heavy ground and I think the ground on the first day of The Festival will be beautiful. I think the race is made for him and he has a good each-way chance."
Missy Tata : "She was really impressive in Down Royal the first day and then disappointing in a Graded race at Fairyhouse. She finished second but I was disappointed.
"She is back in good form now and will go for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, all being well."
Noble Endeavor : "He was just beaten by Killultagh Vic at Cheltenham last year. He has finished around a few of the favourites for the National Hunt Chase, including Roi Des Francs, in all his beginners' chases on very soft ground.
"I think four miles at Cheltenham will be right up his alley and Jamie Codd will ride him if he runs. He is in a few of the handicaps as well and we want to see what way he is handicapped but, if I get my way, he will definitely be going for the four-miler.
"His form is solid and it's always a help when you have been to Cheltenham and done it. He races behind the bridle which is why I think the four-miler will really suit him. No disrespect but if you've got Jamie Codd, Derek O'Connor, Nina Carberry or one of those senior amateurs they are worth a stone in those races."
Our Father : "I'm sure everyone knows about Our Father. He seems to run well fresh and that is why we are going straight for the Kim Muir. He is in the Grand National but isn't going to get in. If he was he would have gone straight there instead.
"The owners wanted to give him a change of scenery and obviously I am good friend of David Pipe's so it was better that he came me rather than someone else!
"He has had his fair share of problems and David has done a wonderful job with him. I wouldn't say we can improve him but he is good fresh and might be down to fair mark. And with Nina Carberry riding, it will be a massive help.
"He works very well and you only have to look at the paper and see the prices he's gone off at - that tells you he's probably always worked well."
Prince Of Scars : "I want better ground for a lot of my horses but it is opposite with him. If the ground was soft he wouldn't be without a chance in the Ryanair World Hurdle.
"He is rated 155 and beat Alpha Des Obeaux and the rest of them all well in Leopardstown. The ground is the key and, if it isn't on the easy side, we will take the shoes off and put him away for next year. He will be a proper staying chaser."
Squouateur : "He has done nothing wrong this season. He won in Leopardstown and the last day at Fairyhouse. He is a J P McManus horse and will probably run in either the Coral Cup or Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle.
"I think the latter race would suit him well with Jack Kennedy riding him but it will be up to connections as they have so many horses. Maybe they might want to keep him for Fairyhouse or Aintree."
Taglietelle: "He was just beaten in the Coral Cup last year and ran a very good race in Musselburgh the last day with top-weight. Richard Johnson said had he jumped the second last, he thought he would have won.
"He goes for the Pertemps Final and Jack Kennedy will take a few pounds off. I bet he will run well."
The Game Changer : "He will go for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Chase, all being well.
"He has won four or five chases including three Graded races during the summer. The better the ground the better the chance he'd have, although it will be very hard to beat Douvan if he stays up.
"We're playing for places really but if the ground dried up he would have a good each-way chance. He has also had a wind operation since his last race, so we are looking forward to it.
"He used to be a bleeder but he lives outside now and has been a different horse since we have done that."
Tombstone : "He is in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle. At this stage, I'd say we are leaning towards the Supreme.
"He has been very good, being just beaten in two Grade Ones. I thought we were a bit unlucky the first day but the second day there was no excuse - we just got outstayed by a better horse on the day.
"He was way too keen over Christmas and I thought he should have won that day. He got knocked down turning in but that is racing and it's over now so you worry about the next day.
"I will definitely leave the hood on him."
Vercingetorix : "He works like a machine at home but doesn't do it on the track. That is the same with most horses.
"He ran well in the Ladbroke Hurdle to be seventh and I'd say the hustle and bustle of Cheltenham will suit him. He is up to winning one of these big handicaps."
Westend Star : "He is in a few races but I might just aim for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. We will see how he is handicapped.
"He has done nothing wrong and was just beaten in a Grade Three at Clonmel last time. It was horrible gluey ground and he hated it. He never went a yard and did well to finish where he did.
"Young Jack (Kennedy) rode him when he won in Down Royal and he never missed a beat. Barry (Geraghty) rode him in Thurles and said when he was out on his own he was lackadaisical at his hurdles but when he pulled him inside he winged them. I am not worried about his jumping to be honest."
Whistle Dixie: "She was third to Willie's mare last time (Limini) who they say can't be beaten. On the day Limini won really well but ours came back with a few little problems. If we can rectify that, she is a good mare although I'm not saying she will reverse the form at Cheltenham.
"She hasn't been easy to train but if we can get her there she would have a good each-way chance. She is a full-sister to Kicking King."
Gordon Elliott stable visit, Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Cullentra, Longwood, Co Meath
Synopsis - Has risen to become one of Ireland's leading Jump trainers since taking out his licence 10 years ago. Shot to international prominence with victory in the 2007 Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree, aged 29, despite having not had a winner back home, and has gone on to record numerous major wins in Ireland and Britain, including five successes at The Festival.
Born - March 2, 1978
Background - a successful point-to-point rider, who also partnered winners under Rules. Started his racing career while still at school, working at Tony Martin's stable in County Meath. From there, he moved to Britain, joining Martin Pipe in 2002, and during his spell in Somerset his six rides as an amateur included one winner.
Elliott then returned to Ireland for another term at Martin's stables. Started training from Capranny Stables in Trim, Co Meath in early 2006 and bought Cullentra House farm in 2011.
He has emerged over the last few seasons as the main challenger to Willie Mullins' dominance in Ireland and has already sent out more than 100 winners at home this season.
First winner as a trainer - Arresting, Fugro-Technip Handicap Hurdle, Perth, June 11, 2006
Cheltenham Festival wins (5)
2011: 2 - National Hunt Chase (Chicago Grey), Coral Cup (Carlito Brigante)
2013: 1 - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Flaxen Flare)
2014: 1 - JCB Triumph Hurdle (Tiger Roll)
2015: 1 - National Hunt Chase (Cause Of Causes)
Other major wins include:
Crabbie's Grand National (2007 Silver Birch)
Betfred Ebor (2010 Dirar)
Drinmore Novice Chase (2010 Jessies Dream, 2013 Don Cossack, 2015 No More Heroes)
Powers Gold Cup (2013 Realt Mor)
Punchestown Champion Novice Chase (2013 Mount Benbulben)
JNWine.com Champion Chase (2013 Roi Du Mee, 2015 Don Cossack)
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (2014 Don Cossack)
Racing Post Novice Chase (2014 Clarcam)
Manifesto Novices' Chase (2015 Clarcam)
Melling Chase (2015 Don Cossack)
Punchestown Gold Cup (2015 Don Cossack)
Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle (2015 Prince Of Scars)
Neville Hotels Novice Chase (2015 No More Heroes)
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