Brigante set for Relkeel test

Gordon Elliott may step Carlito Brigante up in trip in the Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Irish raider set for stamina examination

Gordon Elliott may step Carlito Brigante up in trip in the Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. After an impressive reappearance at Haydock last month, Elliott is keen to see whether his charge will stay two and a half miles and views the Prestbury Park Grade Two as an ideal opportunity to find out. "I haven't had a look at the race yet but I'd say there's a good chance he'll end up coming over," said Elliott. "We're looking at stepping him up in trip and this could be the place to do it. "We've got him entered in Dundalk on Friday as well, mainly because of the weather, but we're planning on going to Cheltenham if it's on. "We want to know whether he wants to step up in trip or trip or stay at two miles, so hopefully we'll find out this weekend." Carlito Brigante will certainly face a good test if he does line up following the latest entry stage. Among the 18 contenders are the likes of Karabak, Zaynar, Restless Harry and Arcalis. Celestial Halo could return to hurdles after failign to take to fences, while the Willie Mullins-trained Mourad could join Carlito Brigante on the trip from Ireland.