Extra firepower has contender looking at the bigger picture

On Wednesday, September 28 at 11.30am Gordon Elliott was 8-11 favourite with Paddy Power to be crowned Ireland’s champion trainer at the end of the season. Granted, he only stayed there for less than an hour, but the fact he was there at all shows how far the 38-year-old has come in a short space of time.

That Wednesday morning was when Gigginstown took all their goodies away from Willie Mullins’ yard. Elliott got the tastiest treats, including last year’s juiciest juvenile Apple’s Jade, Gold Cup third Don Poli and Blow By Blow, who beat Moon Racer in a Grade 1 bumper at the Punchestown festival. The unbeaten Lucky Pass was also part of the package.

That quartet strengthen a squad that already contains a Gold Cup winner. Don Cossack’s recovery from a tendon injury is going well. The scans came back all-clear and several weeks of road work with Dot Love have been completed without any hiccups. One prep and back to the Gold Cup is the plan. But any glitches along the way and a happy retirement beckons. No risks will be taken.