GRADE 1-winning chaser Galvin could be set to switch disciplines at the Cheltenham Festival as Gordon Elliott has revealed that Ronnie Bartlett’s star stayer is being targeted at the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.

Elliott is already responsible for ante-post favourite Delta Work in the same race, but connections are hoping that last season’s Savills Chase winner can create a formidable Cullentra squad for the unique contest.

Galvin, a winner at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival in the National Hunt Chase and not disgraced when fourth to A Plus Tard in last year’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, is priced between 7/2 and 6/1 as second favourite for the Cross Country Chase behind 2022 winner Delta Work (no bigger than 11/10 favourite).

The Cullentra stable will head to next month’s Festival seeking a sixth win in the race in just seven years after victories for Cause Of Causes (2017), Tiger Roll (2018, 2019, 2021) and Delta Work (2022).

Speaking to The Irish Field, Elliott said: “At the moment, we’re training Galvin for the Cross Country. Obviously it’s still a month away from Cheltenham and it isn’t concrete as to what will happen yet but, as it stands, that’s what we’re training him for.

“We’ve been doing a bit of cross country work with him. It’s day by day at the moment so we’ll see how everything shapes up.”

Delta’s double bid

Delta Work remains on course to defend his Cross Country Chase crown after staying on into sixth over an insufficient trip in last weekend’s William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan. Gigginstown’s high-class chaser also emerged with credit from his previous outing when third off top-weight in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in January.

“I was delighted with Delta Work’s run at Cheltenham last month and he got a good blow at Navan last weekend,” said Elliott. “I think that run will leave him spot on.”

Plans have yet to be finalised as to where last season’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper runner-up American Mike could be seen next, but Elliott took positives from his run when fourth of five runners in the Listed I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.

The 34-time Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer was eager to take freshness out of American Mike on his return from a break last time, with the Mahler gelding found to have an issue in the aftermath of his previous defeat at Navan in November.

Elliott said: “There was definitely encouragement to be taken from how American Mike ran at Navan on Sunday. He blew very hard after the race but scoped clean, and that was important.

“We’re not quite sure what route we’re going to go with him but we’ll keep all options open. I don’t know about stretching him out to three miles [for the Albert Bartlett], I wouldn’t be sure about that.”

American Mike is a general 25/1 shot for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.