Gungadu makes first start for Elliott

Gungadu, winner of last year's Racing Post Chase, has his first run for Gordon Elliott in the Clonmel Oil Chase on Thursday.

The nine-year-old was switched by owners Paul Barber and Harry Findlay from Paul Nicholls' stable after he finished fifth to Notre Pere in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in April.

"He's in good form and it will be his first run for us. We've got as much training into him as we can and we are hoping he might sneak into a place," said Elliott.

The trainer has big long-term plans for Gungadu, and hopes he will develop into a candidate for the John Smith's Grand National, which Elliott won with another former Nicholls inmate, Silver Birch, in 2007.

"We are looking more at towards the end of the season with him. He's a nice horse and we hope he might be one for the English National," he added.

Dessie Hughes runs Vic Venturi.

While the County Kildare handler admits the nine-year-old will need to step up again from his win at Clonmel on his latest start, the heavy ground should not be an issue.

"I think he goes on soft to heavy ground so that shouldn't be a problem," said Hughes.

"He needs to improve again, this is a much higher-grade race than last time, but he will at least have the advantage of having a run whereas some of the others won't.

"As a hurdler he wasn't far off top class, he just lost his way a little over fences.

"Hopefully he's coming back to himself now - he was running very well in the spring.

"He'll have a chance."

One Cool Cookie was runner-up to Glenfinn Captain in this race last year.

Trainer Charlie Swan is hopeful of another good run as the eight-year-old renews rivalry with Tom Taaffe's charge.

"He's had one run this season (fourth to Casey Jones at Punchestown) and he's in good form. He should run a good race," said Swan.

"He seems fairly fit and hopefully he'll have a bit of luck."

The Clonmel meeting passed an inspection at 2pm today but as the ground is currently heavy, and the weather forecast less than favourable, the situation is being monitored.