Joseph O’Brien’s Ivanovich Gorbatov bids to book Cheltenham place

Joseph O’Brien is keen to see how Ivanovich Gorbatov performs at Leopardstown today before committing to the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Although officially trained by the two-time champion Flat jockey’s father, Aidan, the master of Ballydoyle was keen to pass credit to his son after the four-year-old made a most impressive start to his jumping career at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

He is already the hot favourite for next month’s juvenile championship at Prestbury Park and is odds-on to see off seven rivals when he steps up to Grade One level for the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.