Headgear for Carlito

Carlito Brigante will wear blinkers for the first time when he lines up for the Airshow 100 Champion 4YO Hurdle at Punchestown on Saturday.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has opted for the headgear after the gelding finished fourth in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham

“He ran a great race in the Triumph. They’d watered at Cheltenham and it rained on the Friday which made it soft, so the ground went against him. Probably the best horse did win on the day,” said the County Meath handler.

“We’re taking him to Punchestown on Saturday, and we’re putting him blinkers on him for the first time.

“We schooled him this morning and he jumped really well and we’re looking forward to running him.”

Elliott revealed Backstage, who has four entries at Perth this week, is likely to go for the Betfair Training Series Final Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle there on Friday.

The eight-year-old would be reverting to the smaller obstacles after being brought down by a loose horse at the 20th fence when going well in the John Smith’s Grand National.

“He was travelling well when he was brought down in the National, but it was too far out to say what would have happened,” Elliott told At The Races.

“He’ll probably go for the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle final on Friday and he’ll like the good ground.

“After that we’ll leave him alone and try to keep his mark for the Grand National next year.”