Elliott confident Don can follow up

Gordon Elliott is in confident mood as the talented Don Cossack bids to strike at the highest level for a second time in tomorrow’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

The County Meath maestro has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds the eight-year-old, proclaiming after he completed a hat-trick of bumper victories at Fairyhouse in April 2012: “If I was a horse I’d sleep with him, he’s that good.”

A novice campaign over hurdles the following season was merely marking time and he showed his true worth over fences last season, grabbing Grade One glory in the Drinmore Novice Chase and running well in defeat on numerous occasions.