With the announcement of the Randox Health Grand National weights earlier this week, several leading candidates aim to enhance their claims in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock this weekend, with the weights headed by current Aintree favourite Blaklion who finished second in the race 12 months ago.
Grand National Trial History and Trends
First run in 1947, the Grand National Trial is a Grade 3 handicap chase for five-year-olds and upwards contested over 3m4f. There are 22 fences to be jumped and it’s nearly always a searching test of stamina – heavy going will ensure that’s the case again this year. This year’s field numbers 14 and that’s bang on the average entry over the past decade.
Carrying big weights hasn’t been a particular barrier to success in this race in the past but most recent winners were placed at worst in their previous outing with six having won their previous start. It’s also an advantage to have winning form over at least 3m and only one seven-year-old has won this since 2000.
In a smaller field than usual, Blaklion is the general 5/2 market leader for Saturday’s race despite being 9lb higher than when only second last year. He’s almost certainly improved since and was impressive in the Becher Chase at Aintree in December when reversing form with last year’s winner Vieux Lion Rouge.
The latter’s connections are this year represented by the progressive six-year-old Daklondike, who has won his last two. He is a hard ride but responds well to pressure and the way he stayed on over 3m2f last time at Newbury suggests he’ll have no problem with the extra quarter-mile. David Pipe’s youngster is out to 10/1 with BetVictor, however.
Mysteree, also a best 10/1, needed her run in the Welsh Grand National and shares bottom weight with Sir Mangan (available at 16/1). Wild West Wind (7/1 with BetVictor) led until falling in the Welsh Grand National when Silsol finished fifth but there is still a question mark over the stamina of Three Faces West and his yard could also be in better form.
Colin Tizzard’s fortunes have taken a turn for the better, however, and he could hold the key to this with THE DUTCHMAN (still 5/1 with William Hill). Still unexposed over fences, he drew readily clear on heavy going over an extended 3m1f at Haydock last month leaving Yala Enki among those in his wake. His dam was a genuine stayer so the longer trip should hold no fears for the eight-year-old.
Grand National Trial Current Best Odds
Blaklion 5/2, The Dutchman 5/1, Wild West Wind and Three Faces West 7/1, Daklondike and Mysteree 10/1, Silsol, Sir Mangan and Yala Enki 16/1
