Carlito Brigante is just 7-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after completing his hat-trick in style at Musselburgh.
Sent off the evens favourite for the John Smith's Scottish Triumph Hurdle under Jason Maguire, victory was never really in doubt as he travelled well throughout.
Ultimate set a brisk gallop in the £30,000 contest, but Maguire always looked confident on Gordon Elliott's juvenile and the pair powered clear for a six-length success.
Elliott said: "He is a big, laid-back horse and the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham is the plan now. That course will suit him much better as Musselburgh is a bit tight for him.
"I wanted to go for the Grade One race at Leopardstown (won by Pittoni) with him, but we came here for the better ground. He is a very good horse."
Elliott's John Smith's Grand National hope Backstage finished third on his return to action following a 163-day absence in the Scottish Racing Novices' Hurdle and the trainer could hardly have been more delighted.
He added: "He was only three-quarters fit, so he will come on a lot for that, and I will give him one run over fences before Aintree."
Maguire completed a double when the Donald McCain-trained Fiendish Flame (5-2 joint-favourite) made all in the John Smith's No Nonsense Novices' Chase.
"I was delighted with him," said the jockey. "He disappointed at Kempton, but the ground was probably too soft. The better ground suited him here, he jumped better out of it. I don't know what Donald is going to do now, but he is in the Jewson at Cheltenham."
Nicky Henderson's decision to send a raiding party on the 740-mile round trip from Lambourn was rewarded with a double thanks to Candy Creek and Eradicate, both ridden by Barry Geraghty.
Posts
