'I think the race is made for him - I've been thinking that all season and all he wants is something to aim at'

Better Days Ahead made sure Gordon Elliott went out with a bang at last year's festival, making it three on the week for the Cullentra camp and 40 overall with a late surge to land the Martin Pipe. 

Elliott was suffering from a severe bout of seconditis on the opening two days last year as Found A Fifty (Arkle), Irish Point (Champion Hurdle) and Romeo Coolio (Champion Bumper) were all runners-up to Willie Mullins-trained rivals, but then along came Teahupoo to save the day and the meeting for his trainer. 

"He got the ball rolling last year," Elliott says of Teahupoo. "He was our first winner after a heap of seconds on the first two days. We really needed him and he came up trumps, thankfully. It's a pity the Stayers' Hurdle isn't on the Tuesday!"