Cheltenham contender Conti completes Elliott's treble

Ucello Conti bagged another hunters chase en-route to Cheltenham as the 11 year old completed a treble at Navan today for his trainer Gordon Elliott in a Boardsmill Sires sponsored race.

The Simon Munir owned gelding qualified for the Foxhunters Chase at Cheltenham with a win at Thurles in January and today added another for good measure, when comfortably beating Coastal Tiep by three and a quarter lengths.

Dual-Foxhunters Chase winner Salsify winner in 2012 and 2013, gamely filled third place, now aged 14.

Elliott later commented “Barry was very happy and he said it might have been better if he had let him stride on a little bit as he said he was breaking his stride and wasn't jumping as well as he can.

“We've done what we had to do and the plan now is to go straight for the Foxhunters.

“He's a good horse and he has good solid form.”

Elliott's earlier winners were with Milan Native in the opening maiden hurdle and Grand National hero Tiger Roll who won the Boyne Hurdle.

Quotes from Gary Carson