Gordon Elliott has revealed the plans are to give Don Cossack just one run before having a crack at defending his Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup crown next March.
Don Cossack produced a sensational performance to clinch the Gold Cup at Prestbury Park this year, beating the Willie Mullins-trained Djakadam by four-and-a-half lengths.
Don Poli under the guidance of jockey Ruby Walsh was then back in third while Carlingford Lough and Barry Geraghty managed to clinch fourth place.
A strong defence was expected for the champion but a tendon problem has cast some doubts over the nine-year-old’s participation in the 2017 edition.
The six-times Grade One scorer has been making good progress in his recovery but Elliott says the brown gelding will be retried if he is doesn’t get back to the level required.
However, the trainer has also revealed Don Cossack will only entertain one race in the lead-up to Cheltenham if the decision is made to defend his Gold Cup title.
Elliott said: “He’ll probably do eight weeks, get re-scanned and if everything is OK we’ll start back with him then – but everything will have to be 110 per cent.
“If the horse is 110 per cent the plan would be to have one run – I’m not sure where yet – and then the Gold Cup, but if he’s not 110 per cent he’ll be retired.”
Don Cossack is the 7.00 favourite to win the race again while Vautour, who is trained by Mullins, is close behind in the market at 8.00.
Thistlecrack is another that is being tipped to go strong at 9.00 while Cue Card, who fell in the Gold Cup race this year, is fancied to challenge at 11.00.
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