CHELTENHAM NEWS

Lieutenant Rocco aimed at Ultima

Trainer Nick Mitchell says Lieutenant Rocco is most likely going to compete in the Ultima at next week's Cheltenham Festival.

Mitchell relinquished his training licence at the end of the 2018-19 campaign but he has returned to the training ranks this season and is eyeing Cheltenham glory.

Novice chaser Lieutenant Rocco holds Mitchell's best hope of sealing a win at the Festival after some fine performances under his guidance.

The six-year-old switched yards, leaving Colin Tizzard in November, and has finished no lower than third in each of his four outings, while he picked up a win a Ffos Las when last seen in February.

Lieutenant Rocco has been entered into the Ultima Handicap Chase, Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and the Marsh Novices' Chase, but Mitchell claims the former is their preferred choice.

Mitchell said: “We're leaning towards the Ultima, but he's going to be confirmed for that and the Brown Advisory. We'll be taking him out of the Marsh.

“It will depend on the weather, as much as anything ? that goes for any sort of participation at Cheltenham, to be honest. There's rain forecast every day until next Tuesday, so we'll just have to see what comes. For him, the more the better really.

“I've been ticking off every day for six weeks now. All we want is to get there and then let him do what he can do.”