GORDON ELLIOTT has demanded jockeys get off rival Henry de Bromhead's horses and ride for him instead.
Elliott, who has started with a bang since returning from a ban for his dead horse photo shame, has pulled rank over Davy Russell and Jack Kennedy.
The three-time Grand National winner has insisted the two top riders must star for him at Down Royal on Friday and Saturday.
It means Kennedy has lost the ride on Minella Indo, who he rode to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory last March.
Rachael Blackmore, who finished second in that race on A Plus Tard having given up the ride on the eventual champ, will be aboard Minella Indo instead.
And the trailblazing female jockey will get the mount on Envoi Allen too, after Russell, aboard Tiger Roll for two of Elliott's National wins, was dramatically pulled off.
Elliott, 43, said: "I have my own jockeys. They are either riding for me or they aren’t.
"I have my own owners to keep happy and my owners wanted my jockeys to ride their horses so that’s the way it is.
"I want to see my jockeys ride good horses but I have runners in the same races.
"If my owners want my jockeys, there’s nothing I can do.
"It’s hard for Jack having to get off a Gold Cup winner but he rides a lot of our horses here and we’re hoping that Delta Work is our Gold Cup horse."
Speaking of former Grand National winner Russell, De Bromhead said he had called him to let him know he could not ride for him.
De Bromhead said: "Davy rang me yesterday to tell me he's not allowed to ride Envoi Allen. I'm not exacty sure why that is. So we’re going with Rachael there"
Envoi Allen, who fell when 4-9 favourite in the Marsh Novices' Chase at the Festival, was previously at Elliott's yard.
But he was moved to De Bromhead by owners Cheveley Park Stud in the wake of Elliott's ban for the photo.
Russell has three rides for Elliott on day one of the Down Royal bonanza, which should hold clues aplenty for Cheltenham.
He will partner Hollow Games, Party Central and Ardhill on Friday before taking charge of six of Elliott's horses, including Galvin, on Saturday.
Kennedy meanwhile is booked to ride Zanahiyr, Excelcior and Grand Paradis on Friday.
He will then take get the leg up on Mighty Potter, Delta Work, Coko Beach and Weststreet on Saturday.
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