15:15 Haydock

Saturday 17 February 2024

All13:0213:3714:1014:4015:1515:5016:2516:55

Virgin Bet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:19 | Winning time: 8m 33.9s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Iwilldoit²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁵⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 149

13/2

Former winner of the Welsh National at Chepstow and Classic Chase at Warwick. Third in this season's Welsh National and fared as well as could be expected faced with an inadequate test of stamina when third in 2¾m Lingfield conditions event since. Big player.

Form: 1/15-233

Chambard⁵²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 147

28/1

Ended 2021/22 campaign with success in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival. Disappointed last season but back on song with win in Becher at Aintree in December. May have found the run coming too soon when pulled up in Welsh National only 18 days later.

Form: U44-21P

Highland Hunter^p1,t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 145

18/1

Thorough stayer who made encouraging return from 21 months off when second on yard debut at Kelso in October. Unseated early over the National fences at Aintree next time and 2¾m was too short for him at Lingfield since. Has first-time cheekpieces added to his tongue tie now stepping back up in trip

Form: 124/2U5

Iron Bridge⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 140| C

5/1

Bumper/dual hurdle winner who quickly developed into a smart chaser last season. Underlined he's going to be force in the major staying handicaps when best of the rest behind Nassalam in Welsh National at Chepstow over Christmas. Much respected.

Form: 5122-P2

Famous Bridge²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 139| BF| C

9/2

Winner of 2 handicap chases over 25.5f here this winter, latterly the Tommy Whittle on heavy ground just before Christmas. Seemed unsettled by an early mistake when never going in the Great Yorkshire at Doncaster since but could resume his progression back here. This longer trip seems sure to suit.

Form: 11-411P

Yeah Man^p1⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: S W Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 133

9/2

This Irish raider has yet to win over fences but he's been in excellent form this season, finishing strongly for second of 10 in 3m Ascot handicap just before Christmas. Very much unexposed granted this sort of stamina test with first-time cheekpieces added.

Form: 210-2F2

Full Back²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 133

22/1

Useful winning chaser but fell on return from a long absence at Lingfield 13 days ago and it's hard to know how much of his ability remains.

Form: 120/4P-F

Credo³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 132

10/1

Likeable mare who landed a third chase success when seeing off 5 rivals on 27f Wincanton reappearance in October. Has run with credit if defeat since, 13½ lengths fourth of 14 to reopposing My Silver Lining in Classic Chase at Warwick (29f, soft) latest.

Form: 34-1234

My Silver Lining³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: James Best| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 127

11/2

Relished the increased test of stamina when making it 4 wins in her last 7 starts in the Classic Chase at Warwick (29f, soft) 5 weeks ago, digging deep. Ought to remain competitive up 5 lb with the emphasis sure to be on stamina again.

Form: 51-1221

Snipe²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

13/2

Taken very well to fences this term, winning handicaps around 3m at Southwell and Aintree (heavy) this term. Another sound effort when 4 lengths second over 3m at Doncaster 3 weeks ago. Leaves the impression he'll stay further.

Form: 5-15212

Non-Runners

Fontaine Collonges³⁵

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: Miss V Williams J: Shane Quinlan

Forecasts

Yeah Man (9/2), Famous Bridge (9/2), Iron Bridge (5/1), My Silver Lining (11/2), Iwilldoit (13/2), Snipe (13/2), Credo (10/1), Fontaine Collonges (14/1), Highland Hunter (18/1), Full Back (22/1), Chambard (28/1)

IWILLDOIT should revel under these conditions and might be worth siding with to land the third major staying handicap chase win of his career after shaping second best for a long way in the Welsh National over Christmas. The effort of giving chase to Nassalam seemed to tell in the closing stages, allowing the reopposing Iron Bridge to overhaul him for second but he's taken to turn the tables on Jonjo O'Neill's charge now. Yeah Man and course-specialist Famous Bridge complete the shortlist.