Don Cossack© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott reports Don Cossack to be "bouncing" ahead of his bid to cap a fantastic season in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next month.
The County Meath-based trainer has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds the eight-year-old and he has come of age this term, winning each of his four starts including the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in December.
He was a wide-margin winner of the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles last month following the final-fence fall of main rival Champagne Fever and he will now bid to provide Michael O'Leary, owner of Gigginstown House Stud and Ryanair, with a first victory in the race he sponsors at the Festival.
"He's bouncing and we couldn't be happier with him," Elliott told At The Races.
"He's been great this season. He's just been a different horse and is finishing his races out better and looks better.
"He's just so big, he could have been a bit weak and watery (last season).
"We haven't done much work with him (since Thurles), but he's coming off the gallop in great order and he's eating great and doing everything right.
"We're looking forward to Cheltenham and it would be nice to win the race for the sponsor."
