Death Duty is heading the charge for the Gordon Elliot stable at the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old gelding has won his last four outings and Elliott has him lined up for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – where he as short as 2/1 with WilliamHill.

“He’s running in the Albert Bartlett. I’d say he’d be quick enough for the Neptune, I just think the Albert Bartlett is made for him,” he said.

“If he wins it’ll be great. He’s a three-mile chaser in the making. On form, he’s a better horse than Don Cossack was over hurdles, him and No More Heroes, but he’s still got to do it when he goes chasing.”

30 horses

Elliott is sending 30 horses to Prestbury Park, of which tqo of those will be in the Gold Cup in the shape of Gigginstown Stud duo Don Poli and  Outlander.

“Outlander is the one who looks a bit unexposed. It will be his first time over the trip but the way he will be ridden will suit because we will drop in and take our time,” he said.

“Don Poli has run sweetly the last twice. I am not sure what happened in Down Royal. It was an embarrassment. The way he ran that day he would not have won a point-to-point. He seems to have turned a corner now.

“There is not a lot between the Irish horses in my opinion. I think Outlander and Djakadam are the pick of the Irish horses for the Gold Cup as they are going there fresh.”

Elliott did have three horses entered but Empire of Dirt will now be going for the Ryanair Chase.

He added: “Empire Of Dirt looks to have a very good chance in the Ryanair Chase. That’s the plan unless something happens to Don Poli or Outlander.”