The distance on Musselburgh return – Greatrex

Cheltenham in October, after which he underwent a wind operation, then Haydock and Kelso.

Greatrex believes that form can be forgotten and a drop to a handy mark of 137 exploited back at Musselburgh as he explained: “He’s got three Ps by his name but, to be honest, two are sort of my fault.

“His tack slipped twice, it’s nothing to do with his well-being. Basically, it’s trainer and staff error rather than him.

“And at Cheltenham he pulled up on really bad ground that he’d always struggle on.

“Paddy Brennan (above) said he felt great at Haydock and would’ve been in the first four if the tack hadn’t slipped.

“Then in the Borders National it slipped again. We saddle hundreds a year so I don’t know why.

“I’ve only had five or six in my career and it’s happened three times overall with him – he’s obviously a funny shape. “So, adamant he won’t do it again, we’ve made some changes to the equipment.

“He’s a fresh horse, likes Musselburgh and the better ground they tend to get helps him.

“He’s on a good mark, is a course and distance winner and gets better as the season goes on.

“When he came back in this year I thought he was a much better horse. His season was geared towards the Grand National because I think he’s made for the race.

“But I scrapped that because he’s no chance of getting in. It will probably be Musselburgh, we might go back for the Kim Muir again then probably either Scottish National or the Bet365 Chase.”

Although Bob Mahler’s plans are altered, Greatrex still has Grand National plotting in mind on the cracking Musselburgh two-day card.

The Mcneill Family-owned Keeper Hill will be entered for Aintree after contesting the Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier.

“It’s a great weekend with good prize money, I try to support it as much as I can,” said Greatrex. “I’ll bring three or four up and hopefully hit the target at least once.”

The £30,000 Edinburgh National will be one of two Musselburgh races broadcast live by ITV on Saturday.

In a further boost to the Scottish track, ITV will show four from the high class trials day on Sunday alongside Dublin Racing Festival coverage.

Ben Pauling won the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle as The Cob sprang a 25-1 surprise at Doncaster.

Bouncing back from a disappointing run at Newbury last time out, he showed stamina in abundance in the straight as all the fancied runners dropped away one by one. Portstorm stayed on to claim second at 50-1, some nine lengths away, with Castle Robin third.

Winning jockey Daryl Jacob said: “All credit to Ben and his team. With Cheltenham off, he switched me to this fella.”