Gordon Elliott is preparing a top-class team for Down Royal next week, but the coach warns the big guns won’t cope if the ground is too fast

Gordon Elliott plans to bring a host of star jumpers to the Down Royal stage, including Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up. Jerry Colombbut the coach says they won’t run until he’s 100 percent happy with the ground.

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

But Elliott fears conditions could change too quickly and said: “I’m worried about the ground. We’ve had a very dry week and I’m afraid the really good horses will run too fast.