Elliott targets Cheltenham with Frontal Assault

Frontal Assault completed a Graded double for owner Gigginstown House Stud, trainer Gordon Elliott and stable jockey Jack Kennedy at Navan today, landing the rescheduled Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle.

Scheduled for Clonmel's abandoned meeting on Thursday, today's €27,500 renewal saw leader Minella Escape (5/6 favourite) fall when strongly pressed at the second last flight, as Frontal Assault eventually fought off the challenge of runner-up Angels Dawn a maiden, to score a three parts of a length win.

Winning trainer Elliott, successful in Grade 2 opener with Coko Beach stated “he (Frontal Assault) was way too keen with the blinkers in Leopardstown.

“He'll be a grand big staying chaser. He really stayed well there.

“He'll get an entry in the Martin Pipe (Conditional Jockeys Hurdle at Cheltenham) and we'll see what happens. The likes of Punchestown might not be ideal for him if the ground gets too quick.”

Quotes from Gary Carson