Grand National Trial 2017

Still 3 weeks away, and a lot to happen between now and then, but crucially, this’ll be run once the weights have been framed for Aintree, so a good chance of a sudden return to form for some.

Another of those races for me, where after a long barren spell, things have picked up lately, and Broadway Buffalo went so close last year to giving me a 3 timer. Very much hoping to make it 3 out of 4 this time around.

Fresh from his big win at the track on Saturday in The Peter Marsh Chase, with Bristol De Mai, Nigel Twiston Davies looks to have an interesting candidate in the shape of Blaklion, and he was the first to jump off the page to me at 14’s. I don’t know if he’s Aintree bound, but if he is, then connections have done well keeping him on 152, and for an RSA winner, that ain’t a bad mark. I could easily see him becoming a bit more high profile in the next couple of months, and I think the 14’s is very fair, as I don’t think he’d disgrace himself in The Gold Cup, should he take his chance in that. He’s got a few he could have aimed here, but this is his only entry, and he’s of serious interest.

Bristol De Mai was very impressive on Saturday, and unfortunately (for me) the one horse who I think could have served it up to him, Sausalito Sunrise, was an early unseat. I’m a fan of this horse, and as he continues to slip down the weights, I feel he’s going to take a decent pot. He holds a Gold Cup entry, and would have to run well here to justify that. I don’t think it’s beyond him, even off a potential big weight, and I could make a case for him at 20’s. His stablemate Kruzhlinin took full advantage of his lower hurdle mark here in November, in The Fixed Brush Hurdle, but he was solidly held last time at Kempton, and I think his current mark is just beyond him.

Last years winner, Bishops Road, was another who ran in that Peter Marsh Chase, and he ran well to finish third. He’s coming close to his winning mark here last term, and I can see why he’s favourite, though whether or not his form since that win justifies him being as low as 8’s, then I’m not sure. What I am sure of though, is that if the heavens open in the lead up, then I’d expect him to be even shorter. As per in this type of contest, Kerry Lee has a few entered, and of equal interest to the favourite, are Alfie Spinner, and Goodtoknow. I’d given Alfie Spinner a good word a couple of times lately, and he did me proud last week, and though up in the weights, I don’t think his current mark is totally where he’s at, and despite his advancing years, I could see him make the frame. He was main fancy from the yard for The Classic Chase at Warwick, and one I very definitely didn’t give a good word to was Goodtoknow, who ended up running a screamer at a big price to finish second, finding the impressive winner only too good for him. He’s only up 1 lb for that effort, and that must give him a chance of belying the 16’s.

Talking of horses, who are in the “advancing years” stage, then no surprise for those who read my waffle, that I am very interested in Rigadin De Beauchene. He was a very big winner for me in this 3 years ago, and one of my favourite horses in training. Yes, he is getting on a bit, but after bolting at the start at Warwick, he did run well for a very long way, suggesting to me there’s still more to come, and I’m itching for an each way go at the 25’s. No way I can write him off for one last hurrah, at a track he loves. Venetia also has Katenko, Houblon Des Obeaux, and Emperors Choice in there, but Rigadin would very much be my #1 from the yard, and by some distance too, despite all 3 being chucked in on their best form.

Another horse who ran well in this last year was Cloudy Too, who finished third, after landing The Peter Marsh earlier in the season, so clearly a horse to take seriously at the track. Ran a respectable enough race last time, and he’s already won over timber this year. Off 1 lb lower than his last winning mark, I find him impossible to ignore here at a very, very tempting 20’s. Trainer Sue Smith also has Vintage Clouds, and Wakanda in there. I thought Vintage Clouds was a dark horse here on Saturday, but I thought he was easily brushed aside, and was well beaten off when he came down. Wakanda was a horse who I thought was going places last year, but he really did go off the boil, though he did get back on track last time in The Rowland Meyrick, which was easily his best run for a while. I may have overrated him slightly last term, but he should win before the seasons out.

Wakanda’s old adversary, Virak, also gets an entry, and he’s part of an interesting looking team from the Champion Trainer. I really felt for him last term, as he didn’t appear to have one single piece of form that put him on 159, but that’s the mark he found himself on, and if he were mine I’d be fizzing. The handicapper has (very slowly) relented, and after finishing 4th here on Saturday, he’s all of a sudden dropped a whopping 5lbs, which could be vital for him, and brings him right into this. Paddy Power have him at 25’s, and that’s too big. His stablemates, Arpege D’Alene, Le Mercurey, Vicente, and Vivaldi Collonges could join him. As promising as Arpege D’Alene is, I think his season will be geared around The Festival, while as much as a fan I am of Vicente, I think he’s another who’ll figure elsewhere. This sentiment could equally apply to Le Mercurey, but I see him as less of a prospect for Cheltenham, and I think his mark of 151 is fair, and he’s got possibilities. I haven’t seen enough from Vivaldi this year to spend to long on him for this, and he may be one for next term.

David Pipe has 4 in there, with Vieux Lion Rouge, La Vaticane, Un Temps Pour Tout, and Doctor Harper invovled, and in a race he usually has a runner, half the battle is guessing who the yards #1 is. I don’t know whether or not he’ll want to give Vieux Lion Rouge too hard a time of it before Aintree, while Un Temps looks to have a big task off of 156. La Vaticane may be one for The Topham, and though The Grand National has been mentioned for her, she hardly advertised her claims the other day. This leaves us with Doctor Harper. I’m a big fan of his, but he’s unpredictable, and he was very poor at Warwick last time. I thought he’d be another to feature at The Festival off of his current mark. A win here would not help his causes there. My heart says Doctor Harper from his quartet, but I wouldn’t want to commit right now.

Doctor Harper was, I thought, just a shade unlucky to bump into a rejuvenated Tour Des Champs at Cheltenham on New Years Day, as the winner was very well handicapped on his best form. The switch of yards has clearly done the trick for old TDC, and as an old favourite of mine, it was good to see him back to winning ways, though it didn’t stop me cursing him on the day. He seems to have been around for years, but he’s only a 10yo, and he’ll be running here off of a career high mark. It would be great for Sam Drinkwater to get another big run from him, as he could be Aintree bound after that, via The Festival, and you can be assured, that from one of the smaller yards, they’ll be giving it 100%. If in the same mood as last time, then why not?

Lucinda Russell has a fine record in this, and fresh from her Classic Chase success, she could chance Kilbree Chief, or Itstimeforapint. Neither would be the most obvious for this, but should they make the journey, then give them a second look, and of the pair, I would give preference to Itstimeforapint, who has plenty of runs which could see him fill a place here.

Another trainer to have landed this before is Michael Scudamore, and his Streets of Promise has the look of a “dark horse”. He finally got the hang of things last year, and looks to be on an upward curve. I won’t be betting him myself, but if “good to go” on his seasonal debut, then he’s certainly an intriguing entry at 20’s. His stablemate Mysteree was a very impressive winner here in November, but he was put in his place at Plumpton next time out, off of his new mark.

The Young Master & Henri Parry Morgan are early Grand National fancies of mine, though neither has impressed much so far, and I’m hopeful, but not entirely confident, of an immediate return to form. I may have a few clues after this weekend.

Beg To Differ did me a proper turn at Chepstow, at a price, and although entirely unpredictable, I can’t confidently dismiss him, and it may just be that they swerved The Peter Marsh to keep him fresh for this. 20’s is decent, and I’d prefer him to stablemate Spookydooky.

That’s more than enough for now, and there’s plenty more holding an entry, including the likes of Regal Encore, Gas Line Boy, Warrantor, and Ziga Boy, who would all have a squeak on their best form.

No bets for me yet, but it’s a typically strong entry for this race, and at the moment I’m most interested in the 3 below, who all particularly appeal, either win or each way.

Blaklion 14’s (win)
Cloudy Too 20’s (Each Way)
Rigadin De Beachene (Each Way)

I’d be just as keen on Sausalito Sunrise at the 20’s, but not convinced he’ll head here.

I’d be fairly confident that those 3 will make it to the 5 day Decs Stage, and will decide soon whether or not to get involved before then.

GL