Elliott eyes Cheltenham target with Diamond

Trainer Gordon Elliott is looking forward to Diamond King being a member of his team at the Cheltenham Festival.

The County Meath handler will choose between the Coral Cup and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle for the eight-year-old and believes the likely better ground will see him sparkle.

Formerly with Donald McCain, Diamond King was a tidy winner at Punchestown at the weekend on heavy ground, which Elliott is convinced does not suit.

"I thought he did it very well, Jack (Kennedy) gave him a lovely ride," he told Racing UK.

"I think two and a half miles is his trip, he definitely stays. He is more of a stayer than a two-mile horse.

"I think when he gets a bit of drier ground we could see a different Diamond King again. He's not a mud-lover, my own opinion is when he gets better ground we'll see a better horse.

"You won't see him now until Cheltenham, he'll go for either the Martin Pipe or the Coral Cup, all being well."