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/ Timeform / 05 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Brian Ellison could have eight runners
"Ultimate is now among the figures principals for the Grand Annual Handicap Chase..."
Brian Ellison has his eyes on several handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival, but has his fingers crossed his intended runners make the cut.
The North Yorkshire trainer is particularly keen on the chance of Bocciani in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, for all that the seven-year-old is fully 17 lb behind Saturday's Newbury winner Balgarry on Timeform's current weight-adjusted ratings.
"His form has been brilliant. He was second at Doncaster last time and the winner, Big Easy, has won again and the third horse Corkage won again at Doncaster on Saturday," he said.
Ultimate, however, is now among the figures principals for the Grand Annual Handicap Chase, the final race of the Festival, after winning at Doncaster on Saturday while Ellison is hoping the Timeform 128+-rated Stormy Weather will get in the County Handicap Hurdle.
"Stormy Weather has been put up 4 lb. He's now on 130 (BHA rating) so hopefully he might get in the County Hurdle," he went on.
Ellison is keeping his options open on other members of his provisional Festival team.
"I could have three in the Fred Winter (Juvenile Handicap Hurdle) - Royal Opera, Red Inca and Artisan - while Abergavenny and Marsh Warbler have a choice of races," he added.
"I'd like to think I'd have seven or eight runners at Cheltenham, if they get in."
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Timeform Horses to Follow 2012 is out now! Includes Fifty to follow on the Flat, top trainer interviews & much more! Click HERE for more information.
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