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https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/23/haydock/2024-02-17/858312
Iwilldoit an obvious one here, but they really want to land this a few days before the weights are revealed for Aintree.
Sam Brown bounced back to form last time, and impossible to rule out. Not hammered for that win, and he looks overpriced at 12’s, but I’ve just got a feeling that his next target might be Punchestown.
Not been as heavy on Sandy Thomson runners this year, but old habits die hard, and I’ll be sticking with him here probably. Empire Steel has never been my favourite from the yard, for all he’s a nice enough type. Very disappointing I thought at Wetherby, and run’s especially well at Kelso, but probably weighted to run well though.
It’s his stablemate though, Flower of Scotland, who’s the planned bet. Abysmal first time out, but not the only one from the yard who was really poor around then. Not seen since, and yards runner tend to come on for first run. 25’s is ok. I’ll bet him if I see any movement, but it would definitely make sense to wsit and see if he’s entered at Musselburgh for The Edinburgh National. If he did go there, I’d probably jump to Empire Steel
Edit – No entry Musselburgh, so took the 33’s initially. However has an Eider entry, and coming round to Empire Steel now
Empire Steel 16’s
Iron Bridge was surprisingly dropped 2lbs from 142 to 140 for his distant second to Nassalam in the Welsh Nash.
He returned to training late from his summer holiday due to a tooth/jaw infection and that showed in his seasonal debut when pulled up. His Welsh National run was a big step forward and he should come on again. He’ll need to win to get into the Grand National as bottom weight was 143 last year so I’ll be betting him, probably on the day as I can’t see his price contracting much.
VtC, I should know by now to pay attention if you put up a Sandy Thomson runner, but I’m thinking along the same lines as tyt, in that I think Iron Bridge has a big chance
It will be between him or Ashtown Lad, who I think can bounce back
I’ll bet Iwilldoit here at 12-1. If he wins this it might scupper his chances at Aintree, but it will cover my Grand National bet anyway
Snipe ran very eye catchingly at Doncaster on Sunday in what was probably his prep for this.
I’ll have a go at him in an e/w double with something in the betfair hurdle. Probably Gary Moore’s Spirit D’Aunou.
Just having a glance at this this morning, and I noticed that Ashtown Lad is back to his Becher Chase winning mark. Obviously has welbeing to prove with three P’s next to his name, and I wonder just how much testing ground suits him, but at the prices; I thought he was standout. Connections will want to get his mark closer to 145 in order to get in the Grand National, so if they’re going to go for it; this will be their last chance before weight day.
I’ll wait for decs before committing, and there are plenty of others who catch the eye, not least the Classic Chase winner, but for a price; I thought he was worth a second look.
Was going to leave this and settle for my Empire Steel loser, but going with Full Back 33’s EW, and hoping that Caoilin Quinn can make a difference again
Full Back 33’s EW
Iwilldoit at 7-1 is my call here, but it’s a strange looking renewal this year, and I’m not that strong on anything
There are five of these in the Grand National at this early stage, so thought I’d mention where things stand for those Aintree entries ahead of Tuesday’s pre-weights announcement.
Chambard – up to 147 after the Becher, though a P in the Welsh may count against him at the marginal end of the weights scale. Needs to complete and not be too far back, I’d suggest.
Highland Hunter. Fergal doesn’t have many National runners so may well be keen to look to get this one to win here off 145. But if he goes up to 150 it could well cupper in chances in Grand National, though would get in.
Iron Bridge. Is at 140, down two for being beaten in the Chepstow Welsh Nash slop. Another that needs a few more pounds to justify the GN entry. Thanks for the running plans note, TakeYourTime.
Famous Bridge. Rated 139 after a P in the Great Yorkshire on good ground. Won the Tommy Whittle on heavy in December so must have a chance on Saturday to get a win and take advantage of the extra poundage when it comes to Weights Day for the big race.
Full Back. Ran midfield off 140 in the first of Corach’s Ultimas in 2022. Two starts later pulled up in Sussex National, then out for nearly 14 months before falling when tailed off in the Fleur De Lys at Lingfield last month. The stable is another who has few National runners, with with this 9 yo on 133, even a win at Haydock would be unlikely to get Gary Moore a second candidate for the big race behind his no.1 choice, Nassalam.
What a shame that we’ll not see Iwilldoit run in a Grand National. They messed up by not qualifying for it last season.
I think you can ignore Famous Bridge’s last run. Badly placed at the start after the starter sent them back then made a mistake, back at Haydock has to be a positive.
The more I know the less I understand.
good luck 
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