14:40 Haydock

Saturday 18 February 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1815:5016:2517:00

Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:42 | Winning time: 7m 49.9s

Bristol De Mai⁹¹

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 154| CD

12/1

6-time course winner who also landed this event 12 months ago. Didn't look the force of old when only fourth of 5 to Protektorat in Betfair Chase here in November but this grand sort still can't be written off.

Form: P/P31P-4

Quick Wave⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 148| BF

18/1

Hasn't stood much racing in recent years, but picked up where she left off when landing the London National at Sandown (28.7f) in December. Pulled up in Welsh National at Chepstow (lost shoe) last time but could bounce back. Charlie Deutsch partners Fontaine Collonges though.

Form: 165/1-1P

Cloudy Glen³⁸⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 145| C

28/1

Proved a revelation on the back of a breathing operation when landing the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury (26f) on return in 2021. Only twice raced since and well below par each time so has it to prove after a year off the track.

Form: U2P/1P9-

Fortescue^p⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Hugh Nugent⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 143

12/1

Useful chaser who relished the emphasis on stamina when landing a listed handicap at Ascot (3m, heavy) last February. Good fourth of 22 in Becher at Aintree but seemed to resent cheekpieces (retained) in the Welsh National last time. Others appeal more.

Form: 31U-44P

Grumpy Charley³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 140

12/1

Multiple-hurdles winner who got right back to that level when winning at Newbury in December. Possibly found run coming too quickly when pulled up at Warwick last time and remains with potential as a stayer.

Form: 3P7-P1P

Fontaine Collonges⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137| C

7/2

Ended promising first season over fences with Lingfield success and she made light of a 10 lb rise when bagging 25f handicap here on her return. Far from disgraced when fourth of 14 over 3m at Kempton since and remains of interest with this longer trip a likely big plus. Big shout.

Form: 4141-14

Snow Leopardess^p1²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 137| C

16/1

Proved some sight over the National fences when winning the 2021 Becher Chase. Doesn't quite seem the force of old but she wasn't disgraced when sixth of 15 in Cross Country at Cheltenham (30.2f) 21 days ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time and no forlorn hope.

Form: 1P-P876

Omar Maretti⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: A M Hales| OR: 136

6/1

Dual point winner who bagged 4 of his first 5 starts under Rules, including pair of small-field handicap chases around 3m last season. Off 10 months before good third in 3m handicap at Ayr last month so can't be ruled out on his first go over this distance with few miles still on the clock.

Form: 1/211P-3

Time To Get Up^p,t⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133

20/1

Won the 2021 Midlands National and good second in last year's renewal of this race. Pulled up at Chepstow both runs this term but close up long way in Welsh National on latter occasion so not entirely dismissed off an easing mark.

Form: 0230-PP

First Lord De Cuet^p,t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 132

11/1

Winning hurdler who is knocking on the door over fences, runner-up for the fifth consecutive start in 3m novice chase at Exeter 17 days ago. Should prove effective at this longer trip so not ruled out back in handicap company.

Form: 0/22-222

Notachance^p³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 132

11/1

Without a victory since early 2021 but he comes here in good nick, third of 13 in 3m5f handicap at Warwick last month. One for the shortlist with his stamina proven.

Form: 6823-43

Small Present⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 127| C

7/1

Useful stayer over hurdles and produced best effort over fences when third in 27.6f Market Rasen handicap on Boxing Day. Could still have more to offer as a chaser after only 4 starts. Highly respected.

Form: 65P-453

Tim Pat^p1,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| CD

7/1

C&D winner who got back on the up when second of 11 in 3m handicap chase at Doncaster 21 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Can go well again now back over a longer trip despite being 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 111-562

Saint Xavier^t,v⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 125| BF| C

28/1

In good form in veterans' company this season, winning over 25f here before solid fifth of 18 off a 5 lb higher mark at Sandown last time. 3 lb "wrong" in the weights but still not ruled out.

Form: 26-6415

Non-Runners

The Two Amigos⁵³

Weight: 10-6| Age: 11

T: Nicky Martin J: David Prichard

Forecasts

Fontaine Collonges (7/2), Omar Maretti (6/1), Small Present (7/1), Tim Pat (7/1), First Lord De Cuet (11/1), Notachance (11/1), Fortescue (12/1), Bristol De Mai (12/1), The Two Amigos (12/1), Grumpy Charley (12/1), Snow Leopardess (16/1), Quick Wave (18/1), Time To Get Up (20/1), Cloudy Glen (28/1), Saint Xavier (28/1)

Plenty are in with a shout. FONTAINE COLLONGES showed she goes well at this track when scoring on her return, and with this longer trip promising to really suit Venetia Williams' unexposed mare, she gets the vote. C&D winner Tim Pat is another who will benefit from having his stamina drawn out more and he is next on the list, although Welsh National hero The Two Amigos, last year's winner Bristol de Mai and the unexposed Omar Maretti can have a say too in a very open contest.