Gordon Elliott is confident that both Empire Of Dirt and Don Poli will be on song for Cheltenham.
Both placed behind Jessica Harrington‘s Sizing John in the Irish equivalent on Sunday at Leopardstown and will now be rested ahead of next month’s Festival.
Empire Of Dirt is being primed for the Ryanair, while Don Poli will head to the Gold Cup before a potential go at the Grand National in April.
Despite not taking the honours on Sunday, Elliott was pleased with what he saw from his charges and says he is happy with their progress ahead of the Festival.
“They both ran good races,” he said. “I suppose with Don Poli we’ll look to run in the Gold Cup and Grand National.
“Empire Of Dirt could be a horse for the Ryanair the way he travels.
“We have no excuse. The winner is a really good horse and he beat us fair and square. We’re happy enough.”
