Elliott aims duo at Gold

Gordon Elliott dominates the betting for the Stan James Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Don Poli, who bounced back to form when second in the Lexus, is just favoured over Empire Of Dirt, winner of three major handicaps on his last three outings.

"I thought it was a very good run by Don Poli (in the Lexus)," Elliott told At The Races.

"It's going to be a competitive race on Sunday, but the ease in the ground will suit him and David Mullins, who got a good tune out of him the last day, rides him again.

"He's in good form and if he puts that run in again, he'll take all the beating."

Empire Of Dirt joined Elliott after Colm Murphy's retirement and dotted up in the Troytown on his first start for his new yard.

"Empire Of Dirt has won his last three and they've all been big handicap chases. It's a big step up for him, but he's in good form, too," said Elliott.

"He hasn't got that many miles on the clock. He's had his fair share of problems, but he has a big engine when he's right and hopefully he can show that again on Sunday."

Sizing John's class has never been in doubt but he kept bumping into two-mile star Douvan.

Stepped up in trip for the Kinloch Brae, he appeared to relish the extra distance and beat a solid yardstick in Sub Lieutenant.

"Unfortunately he's been around in the same generation as Douvan in his hurdles career and in novice chases. I think he's been second six or seven times to him so it seemed the logical step to go over two and a half miles," said Harrington.

"He did that well at Thurles and we left our options open to trying him over three. He's a very relaxed horse so he'll give himself a chance of staying it."

Noel Meade's affection for Road To Riches has never been in doubt and neither is his ability, having been third in the Gold Cup and the Ryanair at the last two Cheltenham Festivals.

This season has been a bit stop-start with injury, but Meade expects him to improve markedly from his run in the Lexus, for which he had to be pushed to get there.

"Hopefully he's in good shape, I've been really happy with him since Christmas," said Meade.

"I would hope he's improved for the run in the Lexus. It was a very rushed prep for that because he'd had that back operation (for a kissing spine). Given all that, I'm hoping he'll improve a good bit."