Elliott to do rain dance for Don Poli

Gordon Elliott is praying for lots of rainfall to boost Don Poli’s hopes of winning the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 12.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned eight-year-old bounced back from being pulled up in his first start for Elliott at Down Royal in November by finishing a creditable second to stablemate Outlander in the Lexus Chase at Christmas.

Elliott is now looking to pitch him into the Irish Gold Cup next month and hopes plenty of rain will come down to give Don Poli, who finished third for then trainer Willie Mullins in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, the best chance of coming out on top.

He said: “Don Poli will come back for the Irish Gold Cup. The more rain that comes, the better for him.

“I couldn’t be happier with him. He was hunting on Thursday and was winging ditches, so he is grand.”