Gold Cup hero Don Cossack retired

Owned by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, the Bryan Cooper-ridden Don Cossack held off Djakadam to win the most prestigious prize in National Hunt racing last March.

He subsequently suffered an injury when being prepared for the Punchestown Festival but had been working towards a return to action next month.

However, Elliott reports the 10-year-old to have heat in his leg, with connections opting to retire their star performer.

“I am very sad to report that Don Cossack has suffered a setback and will now be retired,” said Elliott.

“We found that he had a bit of heat in his leg yesterday and we’ve made the decision to call time.”

Don Cossack was beaten just twice in 12 starts since October 2014, settling for third in the 2015 Ryanair Chase and falling in the 2015 King George VI Chase when still holding every chance.

Connections had been making bullish noises recently about a return, but they had said from the outset that if there were any forms of complication he would be retired.

Elliott added: “He’s won Grade Ones at Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown, Fairyhouse and Down Royal. He was the top-rated horse in Britain and Ireland for the last two seasons running and we’d have loved to see him take on Thistlecrack in the Gold Cup. It would have been a cracking race.”

The announcement came just 24 hours after 2015 winner Coneygree was withdrawn from this year’s Timico Gold Cup because of a niggling injury.

Ironically Don Cossack was one of 39 horses declared yesterday for the Gold Cup, a field headed by the precocious novice Thistlecrack who won last month’s King George VI Chase in scintillating style udner Tom Scudamore.

He’s one of five entries from the all-conquering yard of Westcountry trainer Colin Tizzard while the aforementioned Elliott still has five potential runners which include Lexus Chase winner Outlander and Empire Of Dirt who was victorious at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Neil Mulholland’s Doing Fine heads the field for today’s marathon North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick.

Veteran jockey Noel Fehily is a significant booking for a race in which Sue Smith recorded her 1,000th winner 12 months ago courtesy of the now retired Lackamon.

The in-form High Eldwick trainer is double-handed with Fill The Power and Straidnahanna while other intriguing local runners include Malcolm Jefferson’s Ballyben, Sam England’s Raktiman and Jac The Legend from Brian Ellison’s yard.

Meanwhile High Bridge bids to preserve his unbeaten record over hurdles.

Ben Pauling’s charge, who was sixth in last season’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham when trained by John Ferguson, made a successful debut over smaller obstacles at Newbury last month.

Pauling wants to give him this experience in a two-mile novice chase before stepping him up in class. “He is a very nice horse and he has come on a lot for the run at Newbury. I am very excited about him,” said the trainer.

Brian Ellison’s progressive stayer Definitly Red is among 46 entries for the £80,000 Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on January 28.

The eight-year-old showed he was still on the upgrade when running out a smooth winner of the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day under Henry Brooke.

The horse holds an alternative engagement in Haydock’s Peter Marsh Chase on Saturday week.

“I thought Definitly Red was impressive at Wetherby,” said the Malton trainer. “I know he has lots of good form on heavy ground but I do think the good to soft ground at Wetherby is what he wants because he isn’t slow.”

Other Yorkshire entries are Sue Smith’s Wakanda and Malcolm Jefferson’s Sun Cloud.

Scottish National winner Vicente is one of eight entries for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.