Grand National trials take centre stage today with both Blaklion and Gold Present putting obvious claims to the test now that the weights are set. We’ll have eyes for our best chum Presenting Percy over at Gowran, but the bets are at Haydock and Ascot.
The Daily Yankee:
Silsol (1515 Haydock), 12/1: With Blaklion dominating the weights and the betting there could be value lower down. Silsol has never carried a weight this physically light over jumps, he was a fair 5th in the Welsh National last time, and is just the type Nicholls seems to get a big race win out of every year, this could be the one.
Top Notch (1535 Ascot), 9/4: The Mr Reliable of middle distance chasing, more Cram than Coe, but we know he will give of his best, and he is unbeaten here. Probably has the legs on old-timer Cue Card, and although officially rated the same as Frodon, Waiting Patiently and Coney Island, has probably done more to earn his rating, and is more likely to run to it.
Black Ivory (1550 Haydock), 10/3: Was winning his second race in succession when landing a Pertemps qualifier in the Warwick mud, up another 6lbs but that was a tough race to win, and he could be like Tobefair last season, running up a sequence of soft ground qualifier wins before getting a distant view of one of Pat Kelly’s come the final.
Hatchet Jack (1610 Ascot), 11/2: Ran a race full of promise when staying on for a close 5th at this track in a decent race before Christmas. Well beaten over s shorter trip last time, but returns here to more suitable conditions off the same rating as that 5th and should improve after only 5 hurdle runs. Paddy Brennan up is always a plus.
The Saturday Gamechanger:
Looking to turn 10 into 10,000 !!:
Silsol, Hatchet Jack (from above), plus Vivas (1500 Ascot), 28/1: Seems to have been ignored in market from out of the weights, but good claimer repairs that, and was arguably unlucky not to do better in handicap won by Jenkins here last time. That’s good form and this race lacks strength in depth.
Collectively, 2,366/1, so 5 ew should do it (offering a 75/1 place treble component)
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