Elliott focuses on a future without Gigginstown after 'kick up the backside'

The bombshell Michael O’Leary dropped on Gordon Elliott last May, announcing his Gigginstown House Stud would be winding down their racing and bloodstock operation, was the wake-up call the trainer needed according to the man himself.

O’Leary has been Elliott’s main backer since he took out his trainer’s licence in 2006, but he is set to wind down his operation over the next five years and is not buying any new horses.

Elliott is not wallowing in self-pity, though, and says it has spurred him on if anything.

The trainer said: "If you just look at the sales you will see that we’re stronger than ever. Do you know what? It has probably given us the kick up the backside we needed. We’re working hard to keep buying horses. Michael and Eddie have still got a lot of horses here and you never know what will happen.

"I’m very lucky with the horses I have. I have some great owners and brilliant staff and we’re always looking to improve. That’s always the aim. We’re here [Cullentra House] six years now and we’re trying to improve the whole time."

Elliott has pushed Willie Mullins to the pin of his collar in the Irish trainers’ championship over the last few years and he admitted passing the post first at Punchestown in May remains one of his lifetime ambitions.

"If you asked me if I wanted to win a Grand National, Gold Cup or be champion trainer there would only be one answer. That would be champion trainer. But that is years down the road,” he admitted.

The most famous horse in the Gigginstown colours right now is two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll and, while the handicapper suggests otherwise, Elliott does not believe he would have a chance in a Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Elliott said: "We might run Tiger in the Punchestown Gold Cup this year, so we could get to see how he gets on against those better horses but, for me, I don’t think he’d go out for the final circuit in a Cheltenham Gold Cup. He’s that type of horse.

"I know his rating suggests I’m wrong, but I just think he loves doing different things and jumping different types of fences. The handicapper has his job to do and, the higher rating he has, the greater certainty he must be in the Cross Country!"

Elliott also reiterated Eddie O’Leary’s comments last week that Tiger Roll is set to stay in training next season.

"If he’s in one piece at the end of the season, there is no reason why he wouldn’t come back in to try and win another Cross Country Chase. But there is a lot water to pass under the bridge and there is no point in talking about next season now," he said.

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