COSSACK BACK IN FIGHT
TRAINER Gordon Elliott has issued a positive bulletin about Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack.
The nine-year-old has recently returned to light training for the first time since injuring a tendon when being prepared for April’s Punchestown Gold Cup.
Owners Gigginstown hope to have the gelding fit to defend his crown in March but he is likely to be retired if he does not bounce back to his best form.
Elliott said: “He is back doing roadwork and dressage for the past eight weeks and all the scans have been good and everything has been OK.
“The plan is to have one run and then go for the Gold Cup but he doesn’t owe us anything so if he’s not 120 per cent he won’t run.”
■ My Tent Or Yours has been given a choice of targets by trainer Nicky Henderson after missing his intended seasonal debut at Kempton yesterday.
The Seven Barrows handler was forced to withdraw the injury-plagued Champion Hurdle second due to fast ground at the Sunbury venue.
However, the gelding remains in good form and could kick off in the Betfair Hurdle at Haydock on November 19 or in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth a week later.
■ Found could bid for a repeat win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf after her gallant effort in Saturday’s Champion Stakes at Ascot.
The mare is said to be thriving by Aidan O’Brien after finishing second to Almanzor and could bid for compensation in the 1m4f event at Santa Anita next month. Meanwhile, the handler might be triple-handed in Saturday’s Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.
O’Brien could be represented by Beresford hero Capri, Yucatan and Finn McCool as he bids for an eighth success in the Group 1.
■ Carlingford Lough is likely to make his seasonal debut in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.
John Kiely’s dual-Irish Gold Cup winner is in excellent shape and may kick off his season in the 2m4f Grade 1 on December 11.
■ Charlie Hills’ EXOTERIC (3.50) can bring up the hat-trick at Windsor.
The three-year-old showed a cracking attitude to land a decent event at Newmarket last time and I’m confident that there’s plenty more to come.
Cracking stuff at Pontefract too where Godolphin’s D’BAI (3.40) is the call in the Silver Tankard.
Charlie Appleby’s colt built on his HQ maiden success when third in a strong renewal of the Champagne at Doncaster and can outclass these rivals.