Ellison delight as Bothy takes second in Coral

HIS wait for a first Festival winner continues but Brian Ellison could not have been more proud after Bothy finished a gallant runner-up to the brilliant Carlito Brigante in the Coral Cup.

The Malton trainer simply accepted that his horse, who was prominent throughout under Danny Cook, was beaten by a very good winner who powered clear up the Cheltenham run-in to strengthen Ireland’s stranglehold on the 2011 Festival.

Just as the ground proved too quick for Marsh Warbler in Tuesday’s Supreme Novices, Ellison believes that the conditions did not suit Bothy who was runner-up in Newbury’s Totesport Trophy last month.

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“He’s so game and he’s only small and that’s the third big handicap of the season he’s been second in,” said the magnanimous trainer.

“It’s not often connections of the second will be as happy as we are. The ground was just a bit quick for him. He definitely wants it softer.”

Ellison’s challenge will be to find a suitable race for Bothy who can expect a steep rise in the handicap. That is a price of success.

As for the winner, trainer Gordon Elliott believes a chasing career now beckons.

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