INSIDE TRACK
This past week racing fans have been introduced to a new concept, a new fear, writes Julie Williams.
Equine flu brought racing to a standstill. Thankfully the lockdown on British racing has been lifted, the fear of chaos and disorder in racing yards up and down the country abated.
I had cause for some sniffles of my own but purely from matters of nostalgia.
The Cheltenham pitch that my father bought in 1998 has been sold on this week.
All good things must come to an end they say and as on- course betting evolves it is time for new challenges at Freddie Williams Bookmakers.
At Haydock, on ground currently described as ‘ soft’, the 3 mile 4 furlong Grand National Trial Handicap Chase will have 20 runners should they all stand their ground.
David Pipe trains the favourite RAMSES DE TEILEE at 8/ 1( 33/ 1 for Grand National at Aintree in April); beaten just a length and a quarter in the Welsh Grand National in December there are many who will fancy the seven year old to go one better.
I am not one of them. The statistics do not favour the son of MARTALINE given it is eight year olds and above who have done the winning here in the last 10 years.
Trained by Venetia Williams, last year’s winner YALA ENKI at 10/ 1 ( 50/ 1 for the Grand National) is set to defend his crown.
He does so carrying a full 14 pound higher mark. It is not hard to be lured in by the 54 length defeat of BLACKLION in that race.
But a note of caution. That was run in gruelling heavy ground – a true test of stamina – in a small field of just eight runners, with most failing to see out the race.
Should connections choose to bypass Haydock to run in the Eider Handicap Chase over 4 miles a week on Saturday he would be a decent each way prospect at the 14/ 1 on offer.
Two to catch the eye for Saturday’s Grand National Trial are BALLYARTHUR at 16/ 1 ( 50/ 1 for Grand National) for Nigel Twiston Davies and BEWARE THE BEAR at 14/ 1 ( 14/ 1 for Grand National) for Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson. The ‘ BEAR’ is lightly raced for a nine year old with four wins from just ten runs over fences.
Nigel Twiston Davies has a tremendous record in the staying chase division and BALLYARTHUR’S fourth in a Grade 2 at the track to WAKANDA last time out is decent form. He can be competitive off a mark of 140. Those are my two hopefuls for Saturdays’ feast!