14:40 Haydock

Saturday 20 February 2021

All13:3014:0514:4015:1415:5016:2517:00

William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 8m 12.91s

Ramses De Teillee^t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 152| C

15/2

Better than ever when scoring at Cheltenham in November. Disappointing since but finished runner-up in this race 2 years ago and not dismissed out of hand with capable pilot taking valuable 5 lb off.

Form: 10-5170

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 149| CD

8/1

Progressive stayer last term, signing off with a smashing second in NH Chase in March. Seemingly working way back to fitness this term, midfield in Welsh National latest and good showing not ruled out

Form: 122-499

Notachance³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 146

11/2

Low-mileage 7-y-o who rates an upwardly mobile staying handicap chaser, seeing the trip out thoroughly when landing the Classic Chase (29f) at Warwick in January. Player again from 7 lb higher mark.

Form: 2152-11

The Two Amigos⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 144| D

13/2

Likeable stayer who ran another cracking race when finding only Secret Reprieve too strong in the Welsh National last month. Mark is creeping up all the time but hard to dismiss in this groove.

Form: 542-322

Perfect Candidate⁹¹

Age: 14| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142| CD

20/1

Grand veteran campaigner who relished stamina test when landing stayers' handicap chase (28.4f) here for second successive season in November. However, this is tougher from 7 lb higher mark.

Form: 4122-81

Sojourn^t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 142| BF

5/1

Lightly-raced sort who resumed progressive with a facile Carlisle success (26f) on return in November. Fine second under patient ride in Tommy Whittle and he remains a potentially very smart chaser.

Form: 33/12-12

Achille^p³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 138

11/1

Progressed well during 2018/19 campaign, winning 3 of his 5 starts at around 3m. Seen only twice since but returned with career-best display when second behind Notachance at Warwick last month.

Form: 11P1/2-2

Potters Legend^p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: L Wadham| OR: 134| C

10/1

Useful chaser who is enjoying a good season, clear second behind upwardly mobile Royale Pagaille in the Peter Marsh here (3m) last month. 2 lb lower now and he ought to give another good account.

Form: 3P-1252

Enqarde²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 132

4/1

Form: 76-21U1

Forecasts

Enqarde (4/1), Sojourn (5/1), Notachance (11/2), The Two Amigos (13/2), Ramses De Teillee (15/2), Lord Du Mesnil (8/1), Potters Legend (10/1), Achille (11/1), Perfect Candidate (20/1)

A cracking renewal with the vote in favour of SOJOURN. A low-mileage 8-y-o he was impressive when scoring on return at Carlisle and highlighted further success is in the offing from his inflated mark when second in the Tommy Whittle next time. A bold jumper, he's fancied to come out on top, with Classic Chase winner Notachance, Enqarde and Welsh National second The Two Amigos heading the dangers.