Keith Donoghue on Delta Work as Eddie O'Leary reveals rider plans for Down Royal

Gigginstown's policy of rotating their riders will continue over the next two days with Keith Donoghue coming in for the plum rides on Samcro and Delta Work at Down Royal.

Donoghue has become a key member of the Gordon Elliott team over the last two years, winning at the last two Cheltenham Festivals on the legendary Tiger Roll, and the 26-year-old will partner Delta Work for the first time in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase on Saturday, the first Grade 1 race of the jumps season in Ireland or Britain.

Donoghue is no stranger to Delta Work, or Samcro for that matter, as he has been doing all their schooling of late.

Eddie O'Leary told the Racing Post: "We have no retained rider. We have a big panel of jockeys who we will be rotating all season. Keith will ride Delta Work, but that doesn't mean Davy [Russell] will not be riding for us. He will probably be riding something else in the race, and he will have plenty of rides for us as the season goes on."

The Gigginstown racing manager added: "Keith is a very good rider who has done all the work with Delta Work and Samcro over the last few months. As I said, we have no retained rider. We have a terrific panel of jockeys to choose from that includes Jack [Kennedy], Rachael [Blackmore] Fish [Mark Enright], Davy [Russell], Mark [Walsh], Sean [Flanagan] and Robbie [Power]."

Delta Work: show of strength in Neville Hotels Novice ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Russell was on board Delta Work for all five of his starts over fences last season, including three Grade 1 victories, but Donoghue takes over for the Ladbrokes Champion Chase as the six-year-old bids to enhance his Gold Cup claims. He is a general 12-1 shot for the Cheltenham showpiece in March.

Donoghue was on board Samcro for his impressive schooling session at Punchestown a few weeks ago and he will get the chance to partner the 2018 Ballymore winner in public for the first time in the Advanced NI Scaffolding Beginners Chase on Friday.

Donoghue also rides the promising Fury Road in the CBRE Property Experts Maiden Hurdle, which kick-starts Friday's card at Down Royal.

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post app for all the day's going updates, news and tips