Death Duty© Photo Healy Racing
Death Duty a horse Gordon Elliott has compared favourably with Don Cossack at this stage of his career, heads the field for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
It was on the corresponding card 12 months ago that Don Cossack fulfilled the high hopes always held of him as he lifted the Gold Cup, and Death Duty is expected to progress along similar lines in the same Gigginstown House Stud silks.
Winner of two of his four bumpers, the six-year-old is unbeaten in four starts since switching to hurdles and most recently bagged a Grade One at Naas in January when he was left clear after Augusta Kate fell at the last.
Elliott said: "He hasn't done too much wrong this year, I don't think, and three miles will suit him.
"He's a very laid-back horse that doesn't do anything flashy, but they're normally the best ones. His form has been solid the whole way and you can't knock him."
He added: "I'd say he'd be quick enough for the Neptune, I just think the Albert Bartlett is made for him.
"If he wins it'll be great. He's a three-mile chaser in the making. On form, he's a better horse than Don Cossack was over hurdles, him and No More Heroes, but he's still got to do it when he goes chasing."
Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary said: "I hope Gordon's as right as he was about Don Cossack. He's a nice horse and I hope he's lucky.
"He's had a good, long break and he's hopefully fresh and well."
It was a case of what might have been for the Willie Mullins-trained Augusta Kate at Naas, as she was virtually upsides when she came to grief.
Mullins' son and assistant Patrick said: "I think Augusta Kate is a big price. I thought she would have beaten Death Duty at Naas. Ruby (Walsh) hadn't gone for his stick, Jack Kennedy had and you don't often see Ruby be last with his stick and get beaten.
"She has schooled well since. Her dam was Feathard Lady, who was an unbeaten Grade One two-miler, but she stays very well, which I think she gets from Yeats.
"I can't see why Death Duty is so much shorter in the betting than our mare. I think it will be closer than that."
Henry de Bromhead runs Monalee winner of a Grade Three at Clonmel last month.
He said: "He's a really nice young horse we like a lot.
"He's in good form and whatever he does this year is a bonus before he goes over fences.
"He's by Milan and I think he'll actually be better on better ground."
