Don Cossack Won’t Be Back Unless He’s 110%

Gordon Elliott joined our very own Leon Blanche in BoyleSports’ Kildare shop on Saturday via Facebook Live to provide an update on Don Cossack’s progress in Gigginstown and look ahead to the new season.

Speaking on the Gold Cup winner’s current status following a tendon injury he suffered in April, Elliott assured BoyleSports that Don Cossack is on the mend and suggests he could be back to National Hunt racing soon.

Progress
“He’s been on the walker for the past 2 months and he had a scan the week before last. He’ll do a bit of road work now and that’ll continue until the end of September when we’ll give him another scan. All being well we’ll get him cantering at the start of October.”

Despite his optimism on Don Cossack’s recovery, Elliott insisted the Gold Cup hero will not return to the track unless he is 110% back to his old ways:

He’s won a Gold Cup and there’s no point in him coming back and not competing at the top end. If he’s 110% he’ll stay in training and if not he’ll have a happy retirement at Gigginstown.

Targets
Elliott also looked at his targets for next season and pinpointed three stable stars he hopes can flourish in the coming year:

“Finishing 2nd to Willie Mullins in the trainers’ championship again would be brilliant. Obviously I’d love to beat him but it’s a bit unrealistic at the moment. We’ll just try to keep improving and keep training winners. Death Duty, Tombstone and Sutton Place are all ones to watch this season.”

The full interview can be watched here.