Haydock Grand National Trial day tips
A major day's racing at Haydock, which contains potential Cheltenham Festival trials in the Grade 2s on the card, as well as the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle.
The main prize, though, is the Grand National Trial (3.15) over 3m4½f which will thoroughly test the stamina of the 11 runners.
Saturday's card runs from 13:02 to 16:55 and we have picked out the best bets on all seven races at Haydock.
13:02 - Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Mares' Hurdle (Listed, 2m)
A Cheltenham Festival winner last year, YOU WEAR IT WELL has been consistent since. She has also shown her form in all sorts of ground, including heavy which is almost certain to be the description of Haydock today. She also beat Luccia in soft at Wetherby in November, form that puts her well ahead of her four rivals here.
Selection: You Wear It Well
13:37 - Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase (2m4f)
On his first two starts over fences in ground nearly as testing as what today's is set to be, REGAL BLUE left a really good impression. His course-and-distance second to Happy And Fine in particular looked good form and it was enough to have him sent off 4-1 for the Surrey National at Lingfield next time. He did not jump and probably would not have stayed that day, but back under conditions he is known to suit he can take this handicap chase against largely exposed or otherwise untrustworthy rivals.
Selection: Regal Blue
14:10 - Virgin Bet Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle (1m7½f)
The ground was testing the day that SALVER won the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow, which until this season was a Grade 1 event. He would likely be Britain's best hope in next month's Triumph Hurdle were it not for the imposing Sir Gino, so he should sweep this field aside en route to the Cheltenham Festival, where he would hold each-way claims especially if the ground came up soft.
Selection: Salver
14:40 - Virgin Bet Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m4f)
Botox Has and RED RISK are closely matched on their meeting at Wetherby in November. For being beaten a length that day, the mare Red Risk is now 2lb better off at the weights and has loads of good form on testing ground to call on. She also comes in fresher than Botox Has, having skipped the Cleeve Hurdle on Cheltenham's Trials Day card three weeks ago.
Selection: Red Risk
15:15 - Virgin Bet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (3m4½f)
While this field contains some of the brightest young things on the staying handicap chase scene in Britain, it can go to Ireland with the progressive YEAH MAN. This horse has shaped at least as well as the winner in two Premier handicaps at Ascot this season, falling when charging home the first time and conceding first run to the winner when beaten less than a length last time. He shapes as though this test will suit him and the cheekpieces ought to make sure he does not give them too much of a start this time.
Selection: Yeah Man
15:50 - Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3m½f)
This is a series qualifier for a Final at the Cheltenham Festival. Another such qualifier at Warwick last month was won by J'AI FROID and it has worked out extremely well, with second Kyntara filling the same place at Newbury last week off a higher mark and Shallow River winning on his next appearance. J'ai Froid found loads for pressure that day and also have previous form on heavy ground, so it is unlikely that conditions will find him out here. While qualified for the Final, he may need to win this to make the cut.
Selection: J'ai Froid
16:25 - Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2, 3m½f)
This is exactly the sort of race in which Paul Nicholls should excel and he sent out Makin'yourmindup to win it last year. His runner this time is ISAAC DES OBEAUX, who won twice on testing ground at Chepstow before running with credit in third at Cheltenham three weeks ago at Grade 2 level. His dam is a half-sister to former Nicholls stalwart Clan Des Obeaux, who won two King Georges, so stamina should not be an issue for this six-year-old.
Selection: Isaac Des Obeaux
16:55 - Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Walrus Open Hunters' Chase (2m6f)
Quite a valuable hunters' chase, with nearly £8,000 to the winner. It was won six years ago by Virak, who had an excellent record at Haydock generally. His half-brother FIRAK is entered up this time and the placing looks deliberate, as he has been given a run to get fit before the hunter seasons start in earnest. He is a dual soft-ground hunter winner who can follow in his half-brother's footsteps.
Selection: Firak
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