Gordon Elliott sweet on 'laid-back' Death Duty in Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham

Death Duty, a horse Gordon Elliott has compared favourably with Don Cossack at this stage of his career, heads the field for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.It was on the corresponding card 12 months ago that Don Cossack fulfilled the high hopes always held of him as he lifted the Gold Cup, and Death Duty is expected to progress along similar lines in the same Gigginstown House Stud silks.Winner of two of his four bumpers, the six-year-old is unbeaten in four starts since switching to hurdles and most recently bagged a Grade One at Naas in January when he was left clear after Augusta Kate fell at the last.Elliott said: "He hasn't done too much wrong this year, I don't think, and three miles will suit him."He's a very laid-back horse that doesn't do anything flashy, but they're normally the best ones.His form has been solid the whole way and you can't knock him." He added: "I'd say he'd be quick enough for the Neptune, I just think the Albert Bartlett is made for him."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."Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary said: "I hope Gordon's as right as he was about Don Cossack. He's a nice horse and I hope he's lucky."He's had a good, long break and he's hopefully fresh and well."It was a case of what might have been for the Willie Mullins-trained Augusta Kate at Naas, as she was virtually upsides when she came to grief.Mullins' son and assistant Patrick said: "I think Augusta Kate is a big price. I thought she would have beaten Death Duty at Naas. Ruby (Walsh) hadn't gone for his stick, Jack Kennedy had and you don't often see Ruby be last with his stick and get beaten."She has schooled well since. Her dam was Feathard Lady, who was an unbeaten Grade One two-miler, but she stays very well, which I think she gets from Yeats."I can't see why Death Duty is so much shorter in the betting than our mare. I think it will be closer than that."Augusta Kate has a number of celebrity owners, including former England striker Alan Shearer, Ant & Dec and golfer Lee Westwood, who are all part of The Masters syndicate put together by Graham Wylie.Wylie told At The Races: "I love her to bits, because I bred her. I was in Augusta with the boys, Shearer, Westwood, Ant & Dec, and we were having a drink round the table one night and said we should have a horse together."Because I knew more about horses I was asked to choose one. Normally I spend a fair bit of money on them, so I didn't want to go and buy an expensive horse and give them a big bill and find it's no good."So I said if you just hang fire for a couple of years I've bred one, so it won't be so expensive. That's where it all came from."We're all excited about her, she's got stamina on her side and we're hoping she runs a big race."We were so disappointed that she fell at the last, you'll never know whether that race would have been won or not."Henry de Bromhead runs Monalee, winner of a Grade Three at Clonmel last month.He said: "He's a really nice young horse we like a lot."He's in good form and whatever he does this year is a bonus before he goes over fences."He's by Milan and I think he'll actually be better on better ground."The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Wholestone has won three times at Cheltenham, including on trials day in January.Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, said: "He's just a real soldier.He just keeps doing it and has got a great chance in the Albert Bartlett. "Every ground comes alike to him and he's probably the best chance his owners have got at Cheltenham."Also among the leading British-trained contenders is the Tom George-trained The Worlds End, who is on a four-timer, having completed a hat-trick in Grade Two company at Haydock.George said: "He is progressing very well. He has really improved, but he is a hard horse to gauge at home as he is a very laid-back horse and only does what he has to do. He looks well, though."I think as a novice he is a very level-headed horse that takes everything in his stride and the occasion won't get to him.Good ground should be fine for him." Ami Desbois was third in the Challow Hurdle earlier in the season and won a handicap at Wetherby when last seen.Trainer Graeme McPherson said: "The more rain we get the better, so I'll be doing a rain dance."People crabbed the form because he finished so close to Wholestone at Cheltenham in December and then he went and ran a blinder in the Challow."His form stacks up and I'm confident he'll outrun his price."