Our Catching Pigeons column reports some good work ahead of the Grand National from a Lambourn resident while plenty of other horses catch the eye around the tracks.
Rathvinden can surprise last year’s winner Tiger Roll and win the Randox Health Grand National for Willie Mullins at Aintree on Saturday.
Mullins knows just what is required to win the world’s most famous steeplechase, and he has long seen this lightly raced 11-year-old as a prime candidate to emulate his previous winner, Hedgehunter, who won in 2005.
Although training problems has prevented this highly talented stayer realising his great potential so far, he did show his class when winning the four miler at the Cheltenham last season, and again produced a smart performance to win on his comeback in a Grade 3 at Gowan Park in February.
Mullins has purposely kept Rathvinden to a quiet campaign ahead of this race, and, given a safe round of jumping, he should be bang there at the finish.
Mullins’ great rival Nicky Henderson has come close to winning the a National on more than one occasion, but he is overdue a big run in the race, and Valtor, is fancied as an each-way bet after some very solid preparatory work.
A smart performer in his native France, he was brought over with a view to trying his luck in this race, but an impressive debut win on this side of the Channel at Ascot in December, incurred the wrath of the handicapper.
Henderson has him in great nick for the attempt however, and he schooled really well over the Aintree style fence on Mandown the other day.
Nestor Park can kick off the big day on just the right note for Ben Pauling in the Gaskells Handicap Hurdle.
This marks the six year old’s first outing in a handicap and there has been plenty of evidence to suggest from his two victories so far at Warwick and Newcastle that he can make his mark at this level. He starts at the right end of the weights and he should both be well suited to the step up to three miles and the demanding ground.
Angels Breath, a much vaunted stablemate of Valtor, is just preferred to the well fancied Brewin’upastorm in the Betway Mersey Novices Hurdle.
The son of Shantou became a leading contender for champion novice after some sparkling homework and an impressive debut win at Ascot just before Christmas, but problems with a runny nose and a hold up from rules surrounding the flu outbreak cost him dear in the build up to Cheltenham, with the result that he ran well below expectations in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle.
However, he did meet with interference there at the top of the hill, and he looks well worth another chance as he seems to have come out of the race well.
Debece is one of the more unexposed runners in the ultra competitive Betway Handicap Chase and he is fancied to give Tim Vaughan a deserved high profile success.
Vaughan has always felt the eight year old could win at a high level and he seems to have creeped into this with a decent mark, despite two wins from only three outings over fences this season. He was beaten only half a length by The Worlds End in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle at this meeting two seasons ago, and if he can repeat that sort of performance over the larger obstacles, he will want plenty of beating.
Clive Cox has his team in good heart despite hitting the bar a few times last weekend, and he looks to have found a good opportunity for Glorious Emaraty in the Betway Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton. A shade unlucky when second at Chantilly on his only outing so far this year, he should appreciate the step back to the minimum trip.
Jamie Osborne has booked Jimmy Doyle for Sarasota in the Ladbrokes Fillies Handicap at Lingfield and this consistent and lightly raced four year old can produce an improved performance on her debut at this level in her first time cheek pieces.
Baddesley, a half brother to the useful Valhalla, is very much a horse for the future but has shown enough at home to suggest a bold show in the SW Catering Bumper At Plumpton on Sunday.
Harry Whittington has his horses in great form at present and should strike with Zanzi Win in the Hepworth Saxon Sussex Maiden Hurdle.
The four year old prduced a decent effort to chase home the well regarded Tiffin Top At Hereford last time, and gets a handy weight for age advantage from Mountain Rock and Desiremoi D’Authie.
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