Cheltenham too soon for Carlito

Carlito Brigante will not be making his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has decided not to send the Triumph Hurdle fourth back to Prestbury Park for the sportingbet.com Hurdle after the four-year-old had a workout on Wednesday morning.

Elliott was pleased with the spin but feels the Haafhd gelding, owned by Gigginstown House Stud, just needs a little more time before returning to action.

"He worked well, but we're going to give him another week or 10 days before we run him," said the County Meath handler.

"He had a good blow, he's in good nick and we'll start him off in a couple of weeks hopefully.

"I'm not sure where we will go, but there are a couple of race coming up over here. We'll just see how he is

"He's done well, he's strengthened up nicely and we'll probably end up stepping him up in trip to two and a half miles."

Carlito Brigante had a fine first season over hurdles, notching up a hat-trick of successes and ending the campaign finishing second to Barizan in a Grade One at Punchestown in April.