Elliott: if you don't want to be champion trainer, why else would you do it?

Gordon Elliott says winning his first trainers' title is a lifetime ambition and hopes he has the team to make it happen, describing his squad for the season ahead as "unbelievable".

Speaking as part of Horse Racing Ireland's jumps season launch, Elliott said having the title snatched from his grasp on the final day of the 2017-2018 season at Punchestown was "heartbreaking" but has made him appreciate the feat even more.

Elliott said: "That was heartbreaking in 2018. In 2019 we were just beaten as well. I suppose that has made me appreciate it more. If it does happen, and someday I hope it will, I will really, really appreciate it.

"When you're training horses, it's a bit like being a jockey. If you don't want to be champion jockey one day then you shouldn't be a jockey. If you don't want to be champion trainer, why else would you do it?

Gordon Elliott stable tour

"If you have one trainer whose ambition is to train 20 or 30 winners a season and another trainer whose ambition is to be champion trainer, I know who I'd like to have my horse with."

The trainer added: "I have a serious team of horses. It's only when you actually see the stable tour in the Racing Post on Monday morning that you realise just how lucky we are to have the horses we have. There are even a lot of horses who were not mentioned in the stable tour. The bunch of horses we have at the minute are unbelievable. We're very lucky to have them."

Jack Kennedy: may be back in action at Down Royal meetingCredit: Patrick McCann

Elliott is without his two first choice jockeys at the moment, but is hoping Jack Kennedy will be back in time for the two-day Down Royal meeting this month. Davy Russell has a longer road ahead, with the trainer not expecting to see him back in action until early in 2021.

He said: "I was licking my lips the week before it happened [the falls at Limerick]. Both of the lads were riding winners and there was great competition between the two of them. It was a big blow.

"Davy is in good form. I talk to him most days. Knowing Davy he's so determined that it wouldn't shock me to see him back in January or February. He has a long road in front of him, but hopefully be will come back better than ever.

"Jack says he going very well. He feels good and I'm keeping everything crossed that he's back in time for Down Royal. Jack has been unlucky. He's only 21 years of age, but he's already a world-class jockey. He's laid-back and nothing fazes him. What's he going to be like when he's 25?"

The unbeaten Envoi Allen is the name on everyone's lips heading into the winter and Elliott says he is going to treat him like a future Cheltenham Gold Cup contender. He will make his debut over fences at Down Royal on Friday week in the 2m3f beginners' chase won last year by Samcro.

Envoi Allen: will be trained as a Gold Cup horse by Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Elliott said: "The Samcro decision from two years ago did sway me a little bit with regard to Envoi Allen. At the time I thought Samcro could be a Champion Hurdle horse, and I wasted a year with him.

"I don't think it was the best thing that ever happened to the horse. Envoi Allen was bought to be a Gold Cup horse and that's the way we're going to train him.

"He doesn't do anything flashy at home. He's just the real deal when he gets to the track. You saw that for yourself at Cheltenham. There were a few strides after the second-last where you thought, 'Oh no, we're in trouble here,' but he always picks up when you want him to."

Tiger Roll is most likely to reappear in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan rather than a Flat maiden this week and Elliott said: "He's just been a horse of a lifetime. Everyone who comes into the yard wants to see Tiger Roll. Whether it is a child from the local school, or a Dublin footballer, the first horse they want to see is Tiger Roll."

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