Mark Howard with the horses on his radar ahead of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree.
A strong early pace is guaranteed in the Grade One Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase on Thursday (2.55) with Ahoy Senor, Grey Dawning, Stage Star and The Real Whacker expected to line up.
Such tactics are likely to play into the hands of Irish raider SPILLANE’S TOWER. Jimmy Mangan’s stable star is a dual Grade 1 winning novice chaser from last season coming good in the spring of 2024 – winning the 2m 4f novice chase at Fairyhouse (Heavy) followed by the 3m 1f novice chase at the Punchestown Festival (Yielding). Rated 164 and a four times winner over fences, the Walk In The Park gelding produced a career best on his seasonal reappearance when finishing half a length second behind Fact To File in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown (2m 3f : Soft) – Grade 1 winners Galopin Des Champs, Fastorslow, Minella Cocooner, Inothewayurthinkin and Grangeclare West all finished behind him. Below par when only fifth in the King George at Kempton, he reportedly didn’t take the journey very well, which is a minor concern here. His record on yielding and good/soft is 1U21 and the seven year old remains unexposed over the trip. Absent for 98 days, he is back in rude health at home and a bold showing is anticipated.
Surprisingly, Willie Mullins has yet to win the Grade One Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase on Friday (1.45) and the head of Closutton has entered three at the six day stage. DANCING CITY was still in front when making a mistake at the third last in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. The eight-year-old dropped out of contention thereafter with Danny Mullins easing off his mount. Prior to that, the triple Grade 1 winning novice hurdler had looked good in his two chases winning decisively at Punchestown (2m 7f : Yielding) and Naas (3m 1f : Heavy).
