Gordon Elliott lifts the lid on his festival team as he bids to retain title

Gordon Elliott has emerged top of the training pile at the last two Cheltenham Festivals and appears to have an embarrassment of riches for more success this year. He gave Tony O'Hehir the lowdown on his squad

Apple's Jade

She came out of her run in the Irish Champion Hurdle very well. She'll have two more little bits of work, nothing too serious, and then it'll be all systems go for the Champion Hurdle.

I was nervous coming back in trip against geldings in the Irish Champion Hurdle but she showed us how good she is.

She's gone from strength-to-strength this season and we're very lucky. If she runs to the form she's been in all season I think she'll run a big race in the Champion Hurdle – I think she has a great chance.

Apple's Jade: cantering at Cullentra House Stables under Keith DonoghueCredit: Patrick McCann

Battleoverdoyen

He's in good form. I didn't go to the Dublin Racing Festival with him as I just thought he had three quick runs in the space of six weeks from winning his bumper right up to winning his Grade 1 at Naas. He jumps very well but lacks a bit of experience, which would be the worry, but I think the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle will suit him.

Gordon Elliott on Battleoverdoyen: 'He schooled after racing at Punchestown last week and jumped very well.'Credit: Patrick McCann

Champagne Classic

He won the Martin Pipe two years ago and after a long absence has run well on his two starts over fences this season. He ran second in the Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan on Sunday and we're looking at the National Hunt Chase for him.

Coeur Sublime

He scoped dirty after his disappointing run at Gowran Park on Sunday. We'll see how he is closer to the time before deciding if he'll go for the Triumph. You could argue he's been unlucky not to have won three times this season as he was just touched off at Fairyhouse and then fell at the last when disputing the lead at Leopardstown.

Commander Of Fleet

He won a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival and I think a race like the Albert Bartlett will suit him. He ran well in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle over two miles against some nice horses, but the trip was too short for him. Three miles will suit. He can take his time and hunt away. He's a nice horse and won the Goffs Land Rover Bumper last year. The one negative is he does lack a bit of experience – he's had only three runs over hurdles. We might get a school into him somewhere beforehand.

Cracking Smart

He's in the Stayers' Hurdle but we'll see what weight he gets in the Coral Cup before deciding on his target.

Cubomania

He's been quite consistent and is a four-time winner over fences. The Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase is the plan, if he gets in.

Dallas Des Pictons

We've won the last two runnings of the Martin Pipe and this fellow will be on our team for the race this year. Cartwright will probably run in the same race.

Defi Bleu

He was disappointing at Leopardstown last time but his previous form was quite good and he's an intended runner in the Albert Bartlett.

Delta Work

He's in great form. I was a bit fearful about the ground for him at the Dublin Racing Festival, which is why he didn't run. Davy [Russell] said it was as quick as he'd have wanted it but he has plenty of experience. He's won three times over fences and has won two Grade 1s – beating Le Richebourg in the Drinmore – who has gone on to win two Grade 1s. I didn't think I'd anything to gain but everything to lose by running him on quick ground at Leopardstown.

Dinons

He's five from seven over hurdles and has twice won over three miles, so he'll probably take his chance in the Albert Bartlett.

Eclair De Beaufeu

He ran well at Leopardstown last time and will run in one of the handicap hurdles.

Envoi Allen

He just does what he has to and will go for the Champion Bumper. Thatsy and Daylight Katie might also run. Everything was against him at Leopardstown, the track and the ground. A more galloping track would suit him – being on the inside track on good ground at Leopardstown wouldn't have. He's a nice horse but one for the future. Abacadabras could run in the Champion Bumper as well.

Farclas

He won the Triumph last year but has been disappointing this season. We'll see what the handicapper does and he could go for the Coral Cup.

Felix Desjy

I think we were riding him incorrectly trying to drop him in – he's actually just a relentless galloper. He'll go for the Supreme. I'm looking forward to going chasing with him next season.

Galvin

He's had a good season, winning all of his three starts over hurdles and will probably take his chance in the Ballymore.

Hardline

He might come back in trip for the Arkle. He wasn't a bad two-miler over hurdles. The day he won his Grade 1 at Limerick he was going to put it up to Getabird regardless of the mistake that one made. If the ground turns up as good as it's been all season I think the Arkle favourite [Le Richebourg] will be hard to beat.

Mengli Khan

I'm half thinking of stepping him up in trip. I've been disappointed with him as he's just not having a cut at his fences, but sometimes these Flat-bred horses can do that. It's not concrete but I'm thinking of the JLT Novices' Chase.

Back for Cheltenham? Samcro and regular rider Shane McCannCredit: Patrick McCann

Samcro

Cheltenham is coming quickly enough. He has options at Cheltenham, Punchestown and Aintree but the next ten days are important. He looks good but until you go and give them a piece of work you don't know where you're going or what you're doing.

If he gets to Cheltenham then great, but if he doesn't it'll be Aintree or Punchestown. And if he doesn't make any, we'll take the shoes off him and go chasing next season. There's no decision made yet. It'll have to be discussed with Michael and Eddie [O'Leary].

Shattered Love

She runs in the Gold Cup. She came home with sore shins at Christmas after running at Leopardstown, where the ground was quick enough. She has a couple of pieces of work to do but all being well she'll run.

We are stepping into the unknown trip-wise, it's always a worry with every horse, but if she turned up in the same sort of form that she was in for the John Durkan earlier in the season I think she'd have a great each-way chance.

She's been over there, travelled and done it all before. She's a good mare, although she's not Don Cossack. She's got a nice weight in the Grand National so we might keep an eye on that as well.

Sire Du Berlais

He ran well when sixth in the Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown in December and the Pertemps Final is the plan.

The Storyteller

He's entered in a few different races, but I think he'll go for the Ryanair. Would he be good enough to win? I think he'll need a lot of things to go his way, but he could sneak a place. A better race with a faster gallop might suit him better.

Eye of the tiger: three-time Cheltenham festival winner Tiger RollCredit: Patrick McCann

Tiger Roll

I couldn't believe how well he won the Boyne Hurdle on Sunday. I thought he'd finish second or third last, and that it would be just a good pipe-opener for the Cross Country, but he showed how good a horse he is.

If he hadn't run in the Grand National last year we might have been thinking about going for the Stayers' Hurdle after Sunday's win. But he's going for the Cross Country. We're lucky to have him and he's one of the favourites around the yard.

Ucello Conti

He came out of his win at Navan on Sunday in good form and will go for the Foxhunter. He's got loads of experience and should give a good account.

Vision D'Honneur

He runs in the Supreme. I was disappointed he was beaten at Leopardstown and he came out after that and won well at Punchestown. Back to Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival, he didn't really let himself down in third, but he's been in good form at home since. He's one you could step up in trip.

Don't miss the Racing Post Cheltenham Festival Guide 2019 – 208 pages featuring Paul Kealy's race-by-race guide, Racing Post Ratings, top tipsters, bookmakers Q&A, trainer analysis and much more. Order now at racingpost.com/shop or call 01933 304858

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