Elliott hoping cheek pieces can spark Cossack into providing golden moment

“We’ll dream for another while,” said trainer Gordon Elliott after Don Cossack completed his racecourse preparation for the Cheltenham Gold Cup with a workmanlike performance in yesterday’s Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles.

Dropping back to two and a half miles on testing ground was never likely to bring out the best in the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding, but those who availed of odds of 1-8 weren’t anticipating the anxious moments along the way to an ultimately facile but seldom comfortable success.

Bryan Cooper had to resort to the persuader between the fourth and third-last, but the favourite responded well and was upsides jumping the second-last.