Grand National 2018 At freebetting.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 14.56s

(2)

Monks Stand^p⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: S De Sousa| T: J Mackie| OR: 70| CD

5/6

Appears to have come alive on this surface after disappointing on his initial effort here winning his last two starts displaying a positive attitude. Very much bred for this surface so may well be able to defy a penalty here; enjoys a strong pace.

Form: 095-811

(5)

Angel Palanas^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Russell Harris⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 72| CD

7/2

Competent performer on Fibresand with his best form coming over this trip (won twice at it). Bounced back to form last time after a rare below-par effort and should still be capable of running well here off what looks to be a workable mark.

Form: 311563

(6)

Brockholes⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 67

13/2

Slipped below her last winning mark and showed that she should remain competitive after running with credit on her first run (after a break) for this yard. Her one previous run here (5f) showed she acted here and of interest having won over further.

Form: 3006/4-3

(3)

Bellevarde¹⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: R J Price| OR: 67| BF

20/1

Returns from a break having seen her good run of form come to an end when last seen at the end of 2017. 3lb above her last winning mark she now has to prove herself on a new surface over 6f with her one win so far having come over 5f.

Form: 622127-

(1)

Soldier Blue¹⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 65| BF

8/1

Rather inconsistent form so far for this yard having had just the one run for Charlie Appleby. The majority of his outings have been over a mile and his breeding would suggest that he needs a shorter trip; now makes Fibresand debut over shorter.

Form: 86376-

(4)

Coiste Bodhar^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 58| CD

22/1

Regular at the track (five-time winner) who remains 6lb above his last winning mark having run moderately on his last two starts. This looks a little better than his usual pay grade despite his proven ability to act on the surface.

Form: 761267

Forecasts

Monks Stand (5/6), Angel Palanas (7/2), Brockholes (13/2), Soldier Blue (8/1), Bellevarde (20/1), Coiste Bodhar (22/1)

This 6f handicap presents MONKS STAND with a good opportunity of completing a Fibresand hat-trick having looked ideally suited by the surface in his last two wins and a 6lb penalty may not be enough to anchor him. Angel Palanas is another who has taken well to this surface over the winter but his progression could have stalled to a certain extent now. Brockholes is the most fascinating contender who still looks unexposed on Fibresand and she may provide the biggest danger if she can build on her Newcastle run. Soldier Blue makes his debut here and it will be interesting to see how he reacts to the shorter trip and the new surface.