Cheltenham return on the agenda for Dinons

Elliott sets sights on return to Showcase meeting

Gordon Elliott has his eyes on The Showcase meeting at Cheltenham later this month for Limerick winner Dinons.

Winner of five of his eight starts over hurdles, he has already won three times over fences and was impressive stepped back up in trip to land a nice prize at the weekend.

“Dinons won well at Limerick on Sunday.

He is progressing nicely over fences and it was a good performance,” said Elliott.

“I was toying about whether to run him in the Munster National, as he had a nice weight in it, but I was very concerned about the ground.

“The plan is to go to Cheltenham for a novice chase at The Showcase.

“He won at the meeting last season and so it looks the logical next step for him.

“After that, he might have a break, before we target some staying handicaps later on in the season.

” Jonjo O’Neill is considering the same meeting for 2017 Gold Cup runner-up Minella Rocco.

However, the nine-year-old was pulled up on his last three outings and needs to bounce back, with hunter chasing an option.

“Minella Rocco has been in good form since he came back to us after his summer break,” said O’Neill.

“The Showcase at Cheltenham is a possibility and we will see how he goes if he runs over fences at the meeting.

“We will see how gets on there and if he doesn’t take to it, then hunter chasing is a possible for him as he enjoys being in training.

“He has been a brilliant horse for the yard and it would be brilliant if we could get him to win again.

“He’s been a great favourite of ours and he is a special horse to the whole yard.”

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