Comin to get ya - Don Cossack jumps the last behind Carlingford Lough© Photo Healy Racing
Don Cossack answered his critics in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase as he posted a battling victory under Davy Russell (had a nose bleed afterwards and missed the ride on Fantastic Gold in the next).
Eventual runner-up Carlingford Lough looked like he was about to benefit from a typically determined Tony McCoy drive when he got to the front in the straight.
However, the victorious German-bred found plenty for pressure, going into over-drive from the back of the last to score by a length and three parts.
Bringing up a double for Gigginstown House Stud after Analifet s win in the first, the Westmeath outfit also took third position in this Drinmore with Road To Riches
Gordon Elliott handles Don Cossack and he commented on the heavily-backed winner: "We've liked the horse all along and I'm delighted he's won a Grade 1.
"Punchestown (2nd to Morning Assembly) just knocked the edge off him. He's a smashing big horse and I've been very lucky that Gigginstown has given me a lot of nice young horses to train so it's nice to win a Grade 1 for them.
"He won't go anywhere over Christmas but he might go to Leopardstown at the end of January.
"I'm not sure he's an out-an-out three miler myself. He done it well – he battled and he jumped great so we're happy with him.
"It mightn't have looked before that he was a battler but he did that today.
"I'll chat to Michael and Eddie (O'Leary) but we've no plans for him at the minute."
Russell meanwhile explained: "He's never been soft but he might have been a bit childish and hopefully today will make a man out of him.
"All credit to Gordon – he's done a marvellous job to get him back after a tough race in Punchestown to be as tough as he was today.
"He's only coming to himself now and he jumps fences real well.
"He didn't achieve a whole lot over hurdles but he achieved plenty in bumpers so we knew the ability was there. We just had to get him back to this type of form.
"Obviously there are a lot of Grade 1s in Ireland for him to have a go at before we think of anything else.
"We'll see how he compares with the best Irish novices before we go any further." (GC & EM)
