All systems go for festival after Tiger Roll delights Elliott at Leopardstown

Gordon Elliott described himself as a happy man after Tiger Roll came through one of his final pieces of work after racing at Leopardstown on Monday ahead of next week's Cheltenham Festival.

Tiger Roll has crammed a lot into a short space of time after he suffered a setback in November but came through his workout with flying colours to the delight of Elliott.

Working in the same group as the likes of short-priced Ballymore favourite Envoi Allen, the dual Grand National hero tanked his way around Leopardstown under Lisa O’Neill.

Elliott said: "I was delighted with Tiger Roll. Lisa rode him and everything went well so it's all systems go for the cross-country.

"At this stage, they are all just ticking over ahead of Cheltenham but we needed to get a good blow into Tiger and I'm delighted by what he did there. I couldn’t be happier."

Envoi Allen worked under Keith Donoghue alongside Albert Bartlett contender Fury Road, who was ridden by Davy Russell.

Delta Work: was ridden by Mark Walsh and popped a fence at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann

Of the pair, Elliott said: "Envoi Allen and Fury Road worked very well. Fury Road seemed particularly well in himself."

Back when the season was in its infancy, Elliott declared if he had a horse capable of winning the Gold Cup, Delta Work was the one.

That seven-year-old also galloped after racing under Mark Walsh, who will be deputising for the injured Jack Kennedy at Cheltenham.

Samcro (left) schooled after racing at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann

Elliott said: “It was nice for Mark to get a feel for him there and fingers crossed they will have a good chance in the Gold Cup.”

He added: "Samcro worked alongside Coeur Sublime, who looked good and will go for the Champion Hurdle."

Darver Star on track for Champion Hurdle

Gavin Cromwell provided upbeat bulletins on his four-strong Cheltenham Festival squad and confirmed Darver Star was on course to try and give a second successive Champion Hurdle, following Espoir D’Allen's win last season.

Cromwell said: “We worked Darver Star, Ilikedwayurthinkin, Theatre Of War and Alfa Mix. Darver came home in front so we were obviously very happy with that and the plan is to go for the Champion Hurdle with him.

"It’s a massive ask but, at the same time, I think he deserves to be in the race and he has a place chance. It’s not the best renewal and I think the hill at Cheltenham will suit. I’d be disappointed if he didn’t come up it strongly."

Darver Star (white silks) finished second and just half a length behind Honeysuckle (light blue) in last month's Irish Champion HurdleCredit: Alain Barr

On the rest of his team, Cromwell added: "Plans could change but we’re looking at running Ilikedwayurthinkin in the Martin Pipe and Alfa Mix in one of the handicaps.

"Obviously Mr McManus has lots of other entries in the Martin Pipe but we’d like to keep those two apart. We’ll make a decision closer to the time."

He added: "Alfa Mix is one of the few Irish handicappers who can run off his Irish mark and hopefully he’s well enough treated. Theatre Of War has improved since Christmas and will go for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle."

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