Elliott set to saddle two in Gold Cup

Gordon Elliott is looking to be double-handed in this year's Gold Cup with Outlander and Don Poli, who were first and second in that order in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December.

"Don Poli's had enough chances to win the Gold Cup, but he's definitely in good form and his last two runs have been good," he said.

"Outlander is probably unexposed. It will be his first time at the trip, but the way he'll be ridden will suit him as we'll take our time.

"I'd say the horses that ran in Down Royal (in November) after coming out of Willie's (Mullins), I hadn't given them enough work. They all improved from the run.

"To be honest, none of them are Don Cossack - there's no point saying it - he won a Gold Cup last year by seven or eight lengths.

"I'm not stupid enough to think I can have one the following year.

"For me there's not a lot between any of the Irish horses. Of them all I think Outlander and Djakadam could be the two as they're going there fresh."

Gigginstown House Stud supremo Michael O'Leary sponsors the Ryanair Chase and while he has yet to win the race, there appears reason to hope that could change courtesy of Empire Of Dirt.

The 10-year-old was successful at the big meeting 12 months ago when in the care of Colm Murphy, winning the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate, and was last seen running Sizing John to three-quarters of a length in the Irish Gold Cup.

Elliott said: "Unless something happens to Outlander or Don Poli, he'll go for the Ryanair.

"That's the plan and he looks like he has a chance."