“AS far as being champion trainer is concerned, and I’ve said it all along, I didn’t think we’ve got any chance. I think we’re four or five years off being where we want to be to win something like that. But I’m very proud of what we have achieved [this season].”

GORDON Elliott had been telling anyone who would listen for months that a bid to lift his first trainers’ championship was highly unlikely, despite having the distinction of leading the table into the final days of the season. There was no shame in coming up short at the close of play last Saturday, though the task to make the breakthrough remains gargantuan when you consider the final prize money margin between the two yards was ultimately over €1 million.