UCELLO Conti will try to make it third-time lucky in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran on Thursday.

The 10-year-old was third behind My Murphy in 2016 and was runner-up to Champagne West last year when rated 143 on both occasions.

As he is now off a mark of 148, the Gordon Elliott-trained stayer will be ridden by claimer Liam McKenna.

The 7lb conditional partnered Ucello Conti in a race for the first time when steering him to second place in the Leopardstown Handicap Chase over Christmas.

"Ucello Conti is a definite starter," said Anthony Bromley, racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

"He's crept up the weights again. The idea is to put the 7lb claimer up again who rode him last time out at Christmas.

"He's been placed in it the last two years. He's off a slightly higher mark this year but with the 7lb claimer, let's hope he can run a good race again.

"Gordon seems happy with him. He certainly deserves a bit of luck, but he's quite consistent so he doesn't get much relief from the handicapper.

"We tried a claimer on last time to try to help and it did help him get to second place. He's in the grip of the handicapper but he does run well in these sort of races.

"He'll be there or thereabouts. Then he might go straight to the Grand National. That's his spring target again."

A decision as to whether the Willie Mullins-trained Polidam will also represent the owners has yet to be made.

"I need to confirm with Willie Mullins what we're doing with Polidam as there are other options coming up for him at the Dublin Festival," said Bromley.