Brian Ellison's Tonto and Walker primed for Lincoln challenge at Doncaster

Brian Ellison will be double-handed in the Betway Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday as he eyes a crack at the spring double.The Malton handler is set to saddle old favourites Top Notch Tonto and Dream Walker in the one-mile cavalry charge down Town Moor.The pair returned to action at Wolverhampton in the Lincoln Trial just over two weeks ago and though both cut no ice in the race won by fellow Doncaster hopeful, the Richard Fahey-trained Nimr, Ellison was pleased to give them their first run of the year."Everything is fine with both horses. It's all good," he said.Ellison also has his sights set on the Randox Health Grand National the following Saturday with Definitly Red, who warmed up for the world's greatest steeplechase with victory in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster earlier this month.Definitly Red came through two schooling sessions over Grand National-style fences with flying colours last week."All's well. It's all systems go for Aintree," said the trainer.Ante-post favourite Morando features in a list of 91 horses left standing their ground for the Lincoln following the confirmation stage.Roger Varian's four-year-old is guaranteed a place in the maximum 22-strong field for the first big-race of the new Flat turf season.However, connections of other fancied horses are left sweating, with John Gosden's Sacred Act, Sir Michael Stoute's Ballet Concerto and Fahey's Nimr among those who need a few withdrawals at the 48-hour final declaration stage on Thursday.There is, though, a consolation race, the Betway Spring Mile, for the next 22 horses in the handicap.The weights are headed on 9st 10lb by last year's third Battle Of Marathon, trained by John Ryan, who won the race with Ocean Tempest in 2014.The five-year-old is followed by Fahey's Gabrial (9st 9lb) and You're Fired (9st 8lb).Trainer Martyn Meade is aiming Chelsea Lad at the Town Moor showpiece but he is not yet in the top 22.The son of Clodovil has not been seen in competitive action since winning at Newmarket last May, but is being primed for a comeback at Doncaster."Chelsea Lad is hopefully going for the Lincoln. He had a knee problem last year, which is why he hasn't run for a while, but he seems to have progressed well," said Meade."He's rated 96 and he could potentially be thrown in off that mark."Blair House, Keystroke and Tiercel were among the fancied horses withdrawn at the five-day stage.