Michael O’Leary to leave Don Cossack headgear decision to Gordon Elliott

Michael O’Leary is happy to leave the decision whether his star chaser Don Cossack wears any headgear in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup to trainer Gordon Elliott.

The County Meath handler revealed he had worked Don Cossack in cheekpieces before his latest victory in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles but is going to wait until the blue riband event in March before using them in public.

“I’ll leave that to Gordon. If he feels the horse needs cheekpieces then fine and if he doesn’t I won’t lose any sleep over it,” O’Leary, who owns a powerful string of horses under his Gigginstown House Stud banner, said.