Poli needs soft ground at Newbury Don Poli could return from a 657-day absence in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on Saturday - provided ground conditions are in his favour. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned nine-year-old struck three times at Grade One level when trained by Willie Mullins, including the RSA Chase at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival. He joined Gordon Elliott two seasons ago - and while he failed to fire on his first start for his new trainer at Down Royal, he bounced back to finish second in the Christmas Chase and third in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. Don Poli has not been seen in competitive action since the most recent of those outings in February of last year, but he could make his comeback under the steadier of 11st 12lb in Berkshire this weekend. Gigginstown manager Eddie O'Leary said: "If the ground is right that's the plan (to run at Newbury), but he does need it plenty soft because he's coming back from a leg (injury). "He’s very ground dependent following his injury, but if the ground is soft then the plan is to go." Elliott and Gigginstown have a second potential runner in Monbeg Notorious, who rounded off last season by chasing home stablemate The Storyteller at the Punchestown Festival. Asked if he could join Don Poli at Newbury, O’Leary added: "That would be Gordon’s call, but he needs soft ground as well."
