Betway Official Grand National Betting Partner Handicap

Off time: 15:48 | Winning time: 2m 3.30s

(5)

El Ghazwani^t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 90| CD

4/9

2-2 here and obviously well suited by the C&D; up 7lb here after last week's win but has to merit serious consideration despite the career highest mark.

Form: 55158-1

(4)

Mythical Madness^b²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90| D

12/1

Won over this trip twice on turf and has been placed over C&D before now too; recent form has a taken a bit of a dive though and needs to bounce back from a handful of moderate performances.

Form: 6-24555

(1)

Michele Strogoff²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 88| D

6/1

Likes to make the running and well berthed to nab a handy position on the rails. Best form has been posted at Wolverhampton and yet to race at this course, so a bit to prove on that score. 2lb above last his win but respected otherwise.

Form: 314347

(2)

Juneau¹⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83| D

20/1

Placed over C&D last May before she went on to win four times before the end of the summer; found herself in the handicapping wilderness shortly afterwards and struggled from higher marks. Been off since October and plenty to prove now.

Form: 475730-

(3)

Sweet Charity¹⁹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: D J Coakley| OR: 76| D

6/1

Trip not an issue and has been placed in each of her three previous visits to this course; can go well fresh and one to bear in mind if the betting market gets behind her. 4lb higher than her last winning mark though.

Form: 214257-

Forecasts

El Ghazwani (4/9), Sweet Charity (6/1), Michele Strogoff (6/1), Mythical Madness (12/1), Juneau (20/1)

EL GHAZWANI has taken a shine to the Polytrack surface here and could be hard to resist despite going up 7lb for last week's win over C&D; Sweet Charity is another that has gone well here and, having won over this trip on turf, the filly has plenty going for her on these terms. Michele Strogoff is arguably better at Wolverhampton so the best of the rest mantle is passed on to Mythical Madness, even though he needs to run a lot better than his last couple of starts. the small field can help.