GO WILD!
West is best for George in Haydock’s National Trial
WILD WEST WIND can breeze to victory in the Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (3.15) at Haydock.
The Tom George nine-year-old is no certainty to line up at Aintree on April 14 – with 40 horses set to make the final field, he’s 64th on the list of National runners.
But this afternoon’s £56k first prize is not to be sniffed at – and Wild West Wind has a strong chancing of winning it.
Twice successful from three starts as a novice last season, the son of Westerner relished the mud for a return-to-the-fray score at Chepstow in December.
Sent off at 10-1 for the Welsh Grand National at the same track at the start of last month, Wild West Wind had yet to be asked a question by Adrian Heskin when he came down at the 12 of 18 fences.
My selection must defy a careerhigh mark here, but he has had just five outings over fences and this stamina test should prove right up his street.
Hock-deep mud is a definite AGRAPART, plus for who is a worthy favourite for the Grade 2 Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle (2.05).
Lizzie Kelly was on board for stepfather Nick Williams when the seven-year-old beat Wholestone in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, and a penalty should not stop the combination from going in again. MS PARFOIS
At Ascot, gets the vote to serve it up to hotpot Black Corton in the Grade 2 Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (1.50).
The way Anthony Honeyball’s mare disposed of her rivals by five lengths and more in a Listed contest at Warwick five weeks ago suggests she has plenty more to give, and her jumping technique will be a huge asset for this rise in class.
He has more on his plate than when scoring at Chepstow and Hereford on his last two outings but ANOTHER VENTURE
still makes appeal in the Keltbray Swinley Chase (2.25), while Ben Pauling’s KILDISART going-places gets the vote for the Ascot Spring Garden Show Handicap Hurdle (3.00).
Wincanton’s Grade 2 Betway Kingwell Hurdle (2.45) represents CH’TIBELLO a good opportunity for to get back to winning ways. He found The New One in a defiant mood in Haydock’s Champion Hurdle Trial last time out but the Dan Skelton trainee rates the best horse in the race and looks up to bettering his second to Yanworth in this event 12 months ago.