14:40 Haydock

Saturday 19 February 2022

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

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

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 8m 10.2s

Bristol De Mai²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 159| C

11/2

Classy front-runner who is a three-time winner of Haydock's Betfair Chase. Pulled up in latest renewal but only just edged out in a smart event at Lingfield last month. Respected on rare handicap run.

Form: 9/12P-P3

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: R Hobson| OR: 150| CD

12/1

Enhanced good record here when making all in this last year off 1 lb lower. Proved as good as ever when second in Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day, then might have found Peter Marsh coming too soon.

Form: 1P-FP26

Sam Brown^t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 149| C

6/1

Lightly-raced 10-y-o who left reappearance well behind when beaten ½-length in Peter Marsh here (25.6f) 4 weeks ago, sticking to task. Should be in the mix again up 2 lb.

Form: 1P/37-32

Kalooki²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 145

25/1

All the better for return when narrow winner at Doncaster (3m) over Christmas, having to show stamina and guts. However, struggled upped in class in Peter Marsh here 4 weeks ago.

Form: P32-715

Blaklion⁵¹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| CD

17/2

Still smart despite advancing years and built on return when landing a veterans' event over 25f here in December. Followed up in even more dominant fashion over C&D since and sure to go well again.

Form: 746-511

Time To Get Up^t¹⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 144

22/1

Much improved for switch to chasing for new yard last term, conceding first run but still winning well in Midlands National at Uttoxeter. Lacklustre display on return but should relish this test.

Form: 2/3411-0

The Galloping Bear^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 140

9/2

Multiple point winner who looked good prospect when landing pair of hunter chases last term. Improved again to defy top weight on handicap debut at Lingfield (28.8f) last month and remains unexposed.

Form: 1/211-F1

Secret Reprieve⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 138| BF

6/1

Big improver last winter, running out an impressive winner of Welsh National at Chepstow. Only fifth in the latest renewal but was returning from a 12-month absence. Remains on a workable mark.

Form: 22/F11-5

Enqarde⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 137| C

11/1

Generally progressive chaser who has not always been seen to best effect, but it all came together when impressive winner of Tommy Whittle here (25.5f). However, stamina stretched in this last year.

Form: U15P-51

Mint Condition³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: B S Hughes| T: J Candlish| OR: 137| C

13/2

Three-time hurdle winner who has taken well to chasing, scoring in good style here (22f) in December. Disappointed in Grade 2 novice at Warwick since but that might have came too soon. Up in trip.

Form: 42-8214

Sidi Ismael^p,t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 135| D

40/1

Won staying Kelso handicap hurdle for Keith Dalgleish in April and made it 3 from 3 for this yard on second chase start at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. However, let down by jumping at Catterick since.

Form: 1-4111F

Forecasts

The Galloping Bear (9/2), Bristol De Mai (11/2), Sam Brown (6/1), Secret Reprieve (6/1), Mint Condition (13/2), Blaklion (17/2), Enqarde (11/1), Lord Du Mesnil (12/1), Time To Get Up (22/1), Kalooki (25/1), Sidi Ismael (40/1)

A strong renewal with plenty of depth, but last season's Welsh National winner SECRET REPRIEVE is still very much of interest off his current mark given how he shaped in this December's renewal following a 12-month absence. The classy Bristol de Mai heads the weights and must be respected given his record here, while the thriving Blaklion looks sure to go well again (twice runner-up in this race).