Benbulben to get full check over Gordon Elliott is to have Mount Benbulben fully checked over after his defeat to Boston Bob in the Navan Novice Hurdle on Sunday. Sent off the odds-on favourite after his victory over course and distance in a Grade Two event, the Barry Connell-owned gelding ruined his chance by continuously jumping out to his right. Elliott is convinced something was troubling him, but has lost no faith in the horse, who remains a possible for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. "He seems to be fine (on Monday morning) but the back specialist is coming to look at him as something must have been bothering him," said Elliott. "I'm not saying he would have beaten the winner or anything like that, but he definitely didn't run up to scratch. "He's a course-and-distance winner so you can't say he doesn't like going that way round. "I'd be very surprised if there's not something there, to be honest, as something was obviously catching him. "The long-term plan is the three-miler at Cheltenham. Obviously good ground is an unknown for him, but I think he should be OK."
