Trial trio aiming to put another spring in Ellison's step

sunbets.co.uk Lincoln Trial Handicap | 1m½f | ITV4/ATR

It could be quite a spring for Brian Ellison. His Definitly Red is a huge fancy for the Randox Health Grand National after winning at Doncaster last weekend and now two stablemates warm up for the Betway Lincoln.

No trainer has ever won both legs of the spring double in the same season, though Dermot Weld went close in 1984 when Saving Mercy scored at Doncaster and Greasepaint was second to Hallo Dandy at Aintree a week later.

Top Notch Tonto, a Group 3 winner in his prime, has not raced since finishing second in a valuable handicap at Galway in July.

Dream Walker, also owned by Hull property developer Keith Brown, won at Galway and has his first run since October in a contest in which their trainer also runs Baraweez, who is not entered in the Lincoln.

Abareeq, Nimr and Pactolus all come here on the back of victory last time out, with Abareeq earning a 6lb penalty through success at Kempton just three days ago.

On trial for Town Moor

Top Notch Tonto is among several in the field entered in the Betway Lincoln but the only one guaranteed a run at Doncaster, with 9st 5lb to carry there. Also in the Lincoln are Dream Walker (9-1), Steel Train (9-0), Emell (9-0), Nimr (8-9), Holiday Magic (8-8) and Examiner (8-7). Success incurs a 5lb penalty for April 1.

Aiming to go one better

Supersta was beaten just a nose by Keystroke in this race last year and finished a good second off today's mark over this course and distance in January.

Perfect record

Nimr is unbeaten in two visits to Wolverhampton and scored his third win in just eight career outings when winning here last month.

What they say

Brian Ellison, trainer of Top Notch Tonto, Dream Walker and Baraweez
They're in good shape. This is a stepping stone to the Lincoln for Top Notch Tonto, he's doing his best but he won't be knocked about. Dream Walker is also getting ready for the Lincoln and Baraweez could be the one as he ran a nice race at Lingfield and for a change he's got a good draw, which he didn't all last year.

David Easterby, son of Mick Easterby, trainer of Holiday Magic
We're looking forward to it. We're uncertain on the trip but he has a good draw and Nathan's [Evans] 3lb claim will be a help.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Pactolus and Examiner
Pactolus has been in good form and won last time out but hasn't been given a particularly nice draw. Examiner hasn't run since Boxing Day, when the pace wasn't strong enough for him. There hasn't been much for him so I gave him a small break and this is a nice place to start for the turf season.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Nimr
He did it well last time but that was over seven furlongs and he has to prove he stays. We've kept him for this and I'm very happy with him.

Mick Appleby, trainer of Supersta
He ran a blinder last year and would probably have won with a clear run. He's in very good form and would probably have gone close at Newcastle last time if they had gone a proper pace.