Sir Anthony McCoy feels it is too early to give up on the JCB Triumph Hurdle claims of Ivanovich Gorbatov.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Montjeu was all the rage for Cheltenham after his debut win over hurdles at Leopardstown at Christmas, but could only manage fourth as the odds-on favourite in the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle on Saturday.
McCoy, long-time retained rider to owner JP McManus and assistant to racing manager Frank Berry, told At The Races: "They went a good gallop on very testing ground, I'd say. Aidan's is out of a Gulch mare so would probably be better on better ground."
He went on: "I wouldn't rule him out, it's a big difference winning a maiden hurdle to running in a Grade One, everything happens a little bit quicker and there were three or four of Willie (Mullins') stepping on the gas early enough and probably just got ours out of his comfort zone on his second run.
"I wouldn't write him off, Aidan and Joseph O'Brien train him so anything is possible."