Champion Bumper favourite Sir Gerhard out to cement towering reputation

Gordon Elliott casually mentioned "that Listed bumper at Navan" as a possibility after Sir Gerhard strolled to a 14-length win on his debut under rules at Down Royal in October.

There was, of course, nothing casual about such a target. Even a cursory glance at the stable's recent record in the BetVictor Flash Cashback "Future Champions" Flat Race (3.20) reveals Elliott does not mess about with the horses he aims there, with Don Cossack, Samcro and Envoi Allen among his five winners from the last nine runnings.

That Down Royal performance was arguably nothing less than Elliott had been anticipating, given he struck the winning bid himself at £400,000 when securing Sir Gerhard at Cheltenham last December, following a 12-length win in point-to-point at Boulta.