Carlito up for the Cup

Double for Elliott at Festival

Last updated: 16th March 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Carlito Brigante Haydock

Carlito Brigante: Coral Cup winner

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Carlito Brigante landed a bloodless victory in the Coral Cup to land a Cheltenham Festival double for Gordon Elliott.

The trainer was earlier successful with Chicago Grey, while jockey Davy Russell and owner Michael O'Leary were also celebrating doubles as they won the Neptune with First Lieutenant.

This ultra-competitive handicap was in the bag from some way out as the winner took up the running on the bridle from For Non Stop approaching the final hurdle.

Carlito Brigante didn't jump the final obstacle with any fluency, but at least he stayed on his hooves unlike For Non Stop who crashed out at the final flight.

The winner cruised home by six lengths at 16-1, with Bothy 12-1 running on for second, with 33-1 chances Orsippus and Battle Group third and fourth respectively.

Russell said: "That was super. Everything went according to plan. He didn't miss a hurdle and didn't miss a beat all the way.

"He's been trained by a very good man with one day in mind and this is the day."

Elliott said: "It's been brilliant. The horses have all been running great, but it's not just down to me, it's the owners and the staff, it's everyone.

"It's great to get a winner for Gigginstown. They're one of our biggest supporters in the yard.

"I only had my first winner at the Festival a couple of hours ago and now a second. It's definitely going to be a rough night!

"He's a great horse and it's the first time he has got his ground. He had a wind operation and we thought he was well handicapped.

"When he goes over fences he will be smashing."

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