Gold Cup dream alive and kicking for Elliott with Delta Work

Gordon Elliott put his neck on the line in the build-up to Christmas by telling the world he still held Gold Cup aspirations for Delta Work and the young chaser rewarded his trainer's faith by battling best in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

Delta Work was far from an obvious shout having fluffed his lines on his seasonal return at Down Royal in November but the bolts under the bonnet have clearly been tightened up since that inauspicious start to the campaign.

What was most impressive about Delta Work's performance was his jumping, which was poor at Down Royal, and the battling qualities he demonstrated at the back of the last to get up and snare Monalee on the line.