15:15 Haydock

Saturday 15 February 2020

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

Unibet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 7m 38.20s

Elegant Escape^b,t1⁵⁰

6/1

Thorough stayer who should enjoy this test (first run back from wind surgery) having landed the 2018 Welsh Grand National (finished sixth this year from 9lb higher). Highly tried since (failed to win); career-high mark to overcome, tongue-tie on.

Form: 266-236

Yala Enki²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 157| CD

11/4

2018 winner when with Venetia Williams (fifth last year for same yard; jumped poorly). Gradually worked his way into form for this yard in staying tests winning at Taunton last time (non-handicap); ought to go well but now on a stiff mark.

Form: 357-031

Vintage Clouds²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 154| C

15/2

Three-time course winner at shorter trips, the most recent coming last time out over 3m2f to win the Peter Marsh by 7L (Geronimo third). Up to a mark (154) that he's never seen before (more needed), needs motivating through the race; stays well.

Form: F6-5P31

One For Arthur^p1,t⁷⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 148| CWS

12/1

Yard won this three times; 2017 Grand National winner returns from a wind op still searching for a win after his biggest triumph. Lightly-raced since he now wears cheekpieces (first-time); handicapper gives him a chance (drops to last winning mark).

Form: 1/UU6-45

Steely Addition⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 147

16/1

Won twice last season with the first win coming in testing conditions but off a 10lb lower mark. Given a stiff task on his return at Sandown; now returns from another absence; unexposed sort, fairly big ask off this mark versus experienced rivals.

Form: 8/3141-4

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 147| CD

6/1

Improving staying chaser who completed a hat-trick here over C&D last time defying a 10lb rise in the weights (won previous race over 3m 2f here). Front-runner, jumps well, has another hefty rise (10lb) to cope with if he's to complete a four-timer.

Form: 422111

The Two Amigos⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 142| D

6/1

Faller in this last year having improved rapidly to win three staying handicap chases prior to that mishap. Yet to win this term but his fifth in the Welsh National showed he was in good form (pressed on very early); one for the shortlist.

Form: 11F-835

Geronimo²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: A M Thomson| OR: 136

6/1

Absence of eight months proved no handicap when winning at Newcastle off a 4lb lower mark on return (2m4f, heavy). Continued in good heart when third here over 3m2f last time to Vintage Clouds; consistent sort, thorough stayer enters calculations.

Form: 121P-13

Pobbles Bay⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 135| D

18/1

Unseated his rider in this last year but overcame that and another blemish to take advantage of a reduced mark to win over this trip in April. Not seen out again over fences (two hurdles runs in the interim) when failing to stay in Welsh National.

Form: F21-248

Smooth Stepper⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 133

33/1

Twice a winner over fences in testing conditions during 2018 when with Sue Smith. Hasn't won since joining this yard but has turned in two reasonable performances of late; 3lb out of the handicap this veteran would be a surprise winner of this.

Form: 75PP-26

Non-Runners

Ballyoptic⁷⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 10

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Yala Enki (11/4), Lord Du Mesnil (6/1), The Two Amigos (6/1), Elegant Escape (6/1), Geronimo (6/1), Vintage Clouds (15/2), One For Arthur (12/1), Ballyoptic (12/1), Steely Addition (16/1), Pobbles Bay (18/1), Smooth Stepper (33/1)

Sure to be a real test in the conditions; seven of this field are entered in the big race itself. Perhaps the most interesting runner doesn’t hold an entry in the Grand National with THE TWO AMIGOS bidding to make amends for his mishap in this last year. His fifth in the Welsh National was a good effort and with a more conservative ride this time he looks sure to go close. Lucinda Russell is no stranger to success in this race and One For Arthur looks on the way back after his 2017 Grand National win. Vintage Clouds and Geronimo are both adept around this course and renew their rivalry from last time. Lord Du Mesnil, Yala Enki (2018 winner) and the smart Elegant Escape add plenty of depth.