Carlito faces big test in Relkeel Gordon Elliott expects to be in a better position to plan for the rest of the campaign after Carlito Brigante runs in the Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham tomorrow. The four-year-old is tackling a longer trip as well as stronger company following his cosy success at Haydock last month. The Co. Meath trainer said: "He came out of his race well and is in good form. It's a big step up in class, but we need to know where we are going with him for the rest of the season and we should know on Saturday." Owner Andy Stewart is looking forward to seeing Celestial Halo revert to the smaller obstacles in the Grade 2 event. Connections of the 2008 Triumph Hurdle winner and 2009 Champion Hurdle runner-up have aborted his career over fences after he disappointed in both his starts this term. It is hoped the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding can confirm he is effective over an extended two and a half miles, with the Ladbrokes World Hurdle seen as the ultimate target. He fell in the Aintree Hurdle at April on his last outing over timber, but appeared to be travelling well at the time. "He got round at Newbury last time but he hated it, so we're looking forward to getting him back over hurdles," said Stewart, who also owns the dominant force in the staying division, Big Buck's. "He's done nothing wrong at home and has been schooling well. Ruby (Walsh) still maintains that if he hadn't fallen on Grand National day he'd have won. "We were thinking about running him back over two miles in the International, but Barry Hills (former trainer) has always told me he'll stay three miles." Karabak chased home Silviniaco Conti on his reappearance and the Alan King-trained gelding is expected to put up a bold show. "Alan is very happy with him and he was unlucky to run into a very good horse at Ascot," said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus. "He beat the rest well, so we're hoping for a good run from him. It would be nice to see him win as it's a while since he got his head in front, but he has been running well all the time."
