15:15 Haydock

Saturday 17 February 2018

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 8m 18.0s

Blaklion⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 161| C

9/4

High-class chaser who was a gallant second in this contest last year. Looked as good as ever when winning the Becher Chase last time and seems sure to make a bold bid en route to the Grand National, for which he is the ante-post favourite.

Form: 5324-21

The Dutchman^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Cook| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 148| C

9/2

Produced a fine round of jumping and could be called the winner from some way out when landing a valuable prize at this course last month. Has to cope with a 13lb hike in the weights and the extra distance of this contest, but is on the short list.

Form: 227-261

Yala Enki¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 146| C

8/1

Put in his place by The Dutchman at this course two starts ago and fell at the first at Sandown last time. Likes to dominate and is dangerous if allowed to do so, but his rivals' jockeys will be aware of that.

Form: 1-P364F

Three Faces West^p⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 144| C

16/1

Progressive last year when he won three times. Made a pleasing reappearance at Cheltenham and was leading when falling at the 12th at this venue in December. Runs off the same mark and should be in the mix if putting in a clear round.

Form: 1/P11-3F

Silsol^b,t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: N D Fehily| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| C

5/1

Good effort on latest outing when fifth of 20 in the Welsh National on only his fifth start over fences. Should continue to progress over the larger obstacles and 3lb drop in the weights is a bonus.

Form: 32/81-05

Wild West Wind^t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 144

9/2

Winning reappearance at Chepstow preceded a fall when leading in the Welsh National at the same track. Has been given time to get over that mishap and remains feasibly treated.

Form: 2/113-1F

Sir Mangan³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: D Skelton| OR: 138

20/1

Second to the high-class Beer Goggles in a handicap hurdle in October, and switch to fences at Bangor saw him win in good style. Not at his best in a valuable contest at Warwick last time and needs to bounce back.

Form: 5/1-5216

Mysteree⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: R T Dunne| T: M Scudamore| OR: 138| CD

9/1

Thorough stayer who was fancied to land the Welsh National on his seasonal reappearance, but was pulled up after the 12th fence. Capable of better, but faces some strong opposition.

Form: 8/1P12-P

Non-Runners

Daklondike⁴⁹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Blaklion (9/4), The Dutchman (9/2), Wild West Wind (9/2), Silsol (5/1), Yala Enki (8/1), Mysteree (9/1), Daklondike (10/1), Three Faces West (16/1), Sir Mangan (20/1)

A good renewal of this contest. Blaklion will be the starting point for many punters and understandably so given his record and consistency. However, he has a big weight to shoulder in testing ground so narrow preference is for THE DUTCHMAN, who is progressive and showed his liking for this track last time. Three Faces West and Wild West Wind should go well if putting in a clear round after falling on their latest starts and Silsol may have improvement in him over fences. Yala Enki, Sir Mangan and Mysteree have something to find, but cannot be dismissed with any confidence.