Time to back great Escape
THE Grand National Trial at Haydock today looked set to be a real slog before the expected intervention of Storm Dennis.
With expected strong winds prompting the course, along with Ascot, Wincanton and Lingfield to inspect this morning there’s a real threat to racing this weekend from inclement weather.
If Haydock gets the green light then Lord Du Mesnil is the 5/1 market leader for the Haydock’s big race.
He has won his last three but is 27lbs higher than when scoring at Newcastle at the end of November, and the handicapper may have caught up with him.
He is reluctantly overlooked with the each way vote going to former Welsh National winner Elegant Escape (3.15).
The selection – 11/2 with BetVictor – has had his wind operated on since finishing sixth – beaten 11 lengths – when 9/4 favourite for a second win in the Chepstow feature and he is 2lbs higher this afternoon.
Connections were bitterly disappointed with that effort and I hope he shows his true colours this afternoon despite the steadier of 11st 12lbs. Note the selection is currently 25/1 for the Grand National in April and I would be surprised if we see him again ahead of his trip to Aintree.
The Worlds End won the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last time taking advantage of the late defection of Paisley Park. The 11/8 favourite carries a 6lb penalty for that success, however, and I am going to give Emitom (2.05) another chance for Warren Greatrex who suggested in a recent interview that we would see a different animal today to the one who disappointed so badly on his reappearance.
The selection finished third in a Grade 1 behind Champ at Aintree last spring and the six-year-old – 7/2 with BetVictor – gets the vote with Gavin Sheehan in the plate.
I hope it is a good day for Greatrex as I hope to see a big run from Portrush Ted (3.50) in the Pertemps qualifier. The selection returned from a lengthy absence to win at Ayr from a 7lb lower mark last time and he remains an exciting horse despite the fact that he has only seen the racecourse twice since winning the Aintree Bumper in April 2018.