Gordon Elliott: Thoughts on my two Naas runners including Don Cossack

Don Cossack returns to Naas for the first time since his 2011 win

Betfair Ambassador Gordon Elliott sends two to Naas on Sunday afternoon including the highly-promising Don Cossack. Read the trainer's exclusive thoughts here...

15:05 Naas - Rocky Wednesday

He never seems to run the same race twice, as he showed at Leopardstown in his last race finishing a well beaten 13th of 24 runners behind Willie Mullins' Tennis Cap. Prior to that he had finished an excellent second to Abbey Lane in the Boylesports hurdle at the same track, so his form is a bit in and out to be honest.

He really needs soft ground to be seen at his best so a drop of rain over the next two days would do him no harm. As with most of the races this weekend it looks extremely competitive, however we have the very capable Jane Mangan booked and she is taking 7lbs off his back. So if the required rain comes, and he shows the same form as he did in the Boylesports hurdle then he would have to have a real chance here, but he's not one to put too much faith in at the minute.

15:35 Naas - Don Cossack

He won his bumper at this track back in 2011, and it's his first time back here since then. I think the galloping nature of this track suits him well and I'm really hoping he can come on from his last two efforts. We had no excuses as were beaten by two better horses on the day in those races. But I was pleased with how he bounced back at Punchestown behind Mozoltov, as he was a bit stiff and sore after falling behind Willie Mullins Pont Alexandre at Navan in December.

Paul Nolan looks to have a nice recruit in the shape of Defy Logic, and we have to give 7lbs to Willie Mullins' nice looking mare, Annie Power. On ratings he looks the one to beat, however he is up against some unexposed sorts here, so we will just have to wait and see. We will sit down after the race with the owners, Gigginstown House Stud, and decide whether he goes to Cheltenham or not, but in the long term I think chasing will be his game and he might just be something really special once he goes over fences.