Ucello Conti lined up for newly sponsored Naas contest

The Gordon Elliott-trained Ucello Conti looks set to tackle the newly sponsored €100,000 Ladbrokes Exchange Grade A Leinster National on March 12 – the richest ever steeplechase to be run at Naas – ahead of a tilt at the Grand National in April.

The Meath trainer, who is responsible for eight of the 46 entries, said: “We’ve entered a good few and I’d certainly hope to have two or three runners in the race at least. It’s a lucrative pot and it’s great to see the prize up to €100,000 for the first time.

“Ucello Conti would probably be my main horse for the race. He goes for the Aintree Grand National but this looks a perfect fit for him first. I’d say Roi Des Francs will run as well and we’ll have a look at the others closer to time.”

The stamina-sapping handicap chase will bring the curtain down on the jump season for Naas racecourse this term.

Sarah Doherty, product manager for Ladbrokes Exchange, said: “Ladbrokes Exchange are delighted to be involved with Irish racing and Naas racecourse in particular. The Leinster National is a proven trial for the Irish Grand National but is also an excellent race in its own right and we are looking forward to another exciting renewal.”