Leading Irish trainer Gordon Elliott is looking for his stars of the yard to bounce back before the Cheltenham festival, with the Cullentra handler having an underwhelming Christmas period with his horses.
The three main horses that disappointed at Leopardstown's Christmas festival were Delta Work, Presenting Percy and Samcro and Elliott will now field them all again before heading over to Cheltenham in March.
The Savills Chase was a race for the ages, with A Plus Tard for Henry De Bromhead landing the event in the final stages with the Willie Mullins pairing Kemboy and Melon running huge races in defeat.
For Elliott his stars did not feature much in the event with the handler excited for how his team were set to perform with Samcro stepping up to three miles for the first time since his point-to-point days, Presenting Percy entering the race after getting back in the winners enclosure and Delta Work being the defending champion in the race.
Delta Work and Kemboy head 15 contenders in the mix for Irish Gold Cup glory at @LeopardstownRC #DRF #DublinRacingFestival >>> https://t.co/JWN8rKomu8 pic.twitter.com/5tVMC8V25E
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 13, 2020
The Gigginstown owned horse was the leading chance in the betting for Elliott, and after a nice prep run at Down Royal in the Grade One Champion Chase he was expected to go close, but could only fall at the ninth fence.
Elliott expects them all now to bounce back to form next time out and is hoping that they can all fulfil their potential this term with the Gold Cup looking like the more likelier target for all of them.
Elliott said: “They are all back riding out, but each will have to have one run before a possible run in Cheltenham.
“There are options like the Irish Gold Cup, the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles and a few other races for them, but they’ll have to run between now and Cheltenham.”