Gordon Elliott readies A-list team for Down Royal next week - but trainer warns big guns will not run if ground is too quick

Gordon Elliott plans to unleash a host of jumping stars at Down Royal next week, including Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe, but the trainer says they won't run unless he is 100 per cent happy with the ground.

Gerri Colombe will be the star of the show next Saturday as he bids to win back-to-back runnings of the Ladbrokes Champion Chase – Elliott is responsible for six of the nine entries – and he is 4-9 with Paddy Power to do just that. 

But Elliott fears conditions might be too quick and said: "I am worried about the ground. We've had a very dry week and I'm worried it will be too quick for the really good horses to run.