Carlito & Sizing star at Leopardstown

Gordon Elliott appears to have a new star on his hands as Carlito Brigante slammed Alaivan in the Inforthenight.ie Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

A winner at Musselburgh on his previous start when trained by Clare Macmahon, Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud paid £40,000 in the interim and that looks money well spent.

Davy Russell was content to sit out the back in the early stages on the 20-1 chance as Edward O'Grady's odds-on favourite set a strong pace up front with Cross Appeal.

The writing was on the wall some way out as Carlito Brigante, a son of Haafhd, came home in splendid isolation for an 11-length win.

Grand National-winning trainer Elliott said: 'I'm surprised he was that price. He won nice maiden at Musselburgh very well, and Jason Maguire, who rode him that day, recommended the horse to us.

'He's done a few bits of work on nice ground and he's a nice horse, although if he'd finished second or third we'd have been delighted. He's a nice horse and he'll jump a fence too. It's great for Gigginstown Stud.'

He went on: 'We'll have a look at something like the Triumph but he has to have good ground wherever he goes.

'There's a Triumph Hurdle trial back in Musselburgh, he might go there to get some experience but that would be it - he needs good ground.'

Sizing Europe maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the Bord Na Mona Novice Chase - but benefited from the last-fence fall of Captain Cee Bee.

Mark Walsh had been patient on the 2008 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Captain Cee Bee as Osana and Sizing Europe cut out a sterling gallop up front.

Osana was the first to crack but Captain Cee Bee, who seems to have retained all of his ability following a lengthy lay off, appeared to still have plenty in the tank on the run to the last.

To his credit, Sizing Europe put in a big leap but Captain Cee Bee just clipped the top and crumbled on landing, leaving Andrew Lynch to guide Henry de Bromhead's pride and joy home for a five and a half length victory as the even-money favourite.

Lynch said: 'It was workmanlike more than anything else and he didn't jump as well as he normally does, not with the same fluency.

'For some reason today he was hesitant. We had a bit of luck on our side with Captain Cee Bee falling, but you never know what would have happened.

'I had to use my lad earlier than I wanted to, just to get him jumping. I was in front longer than ideal as it is a long run-in at Leopardstown.

'I think he would have picked up a bit more, but whether he would have picked up enough (to beat Captain Cee Bee) you don't know.

'I think you'll see a different horse at Cheltenham.'

De Bromhead added: 'I'm delighted with that. He didn't jump as well as normal today, but he did jump well when it mattered.

'I was very worried coming down to the last, but he jumped it well. He is best when fresh. We will enjoy today before making future plans.'