... also at Doncaster and Kelso

More Grand National clues this afternoon at Doncaster and Kelso. At the former track the main feature is the Grimthorpe Chase over 3 1/4 miles at 16.15 CET, where several runners have an Aintree entry. Merigo (Alan Parker/ Tom Siddall) won the Scottish version last season and is well fancied for the real thing this time; like Meanus Dandy (Paul Nicholls/ Ian Popham) he failed to complete in the Becher Chase in November and has not been seen since, but this is clearly his dress rehearsal. This looks a very open event, in which top-weight Irish-trained Killyglen (Steve Crawford/ Denis O´Regan) and his ex-stable companion Presenting Forever (Howard Johnson/ Brian Hughes) as well as Character Building (John Quinn/ Dougie Costello), Minella Four Star (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) and Ogee (Pauline Robeson/ Jimmy McCarthy) must all come into the reckoning. With the ground firming up at Doncaster, we also like the chances of German-bred Moon over Miami (Charlie Mann/ Peter Tool e) in the 2 mile handicap chase at 18.35.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mac Aeda - Premier Des Marais - Bellflower Boy
2. Race: Nouailhas - J`Adhere - Donny Briggs
3. Race: Presenting Forever - Killyglen - Ogee
4. Race: Vertige Dore - Brother Bob - Rio Gael
5. Race: Oscar Nominee - Close House - Majorica King
6. Race: Lake Legend - Springfield Raki - Indian Pipe Dream
7. Race: Elite Land - Moon Over Miami - Rivaliste




Ballabriggs (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) has won his last 5 races and is on everybody´s short list for the Grand National. He can underline his claims by winning the Premier Chase at 16.40 at Kelso, in which Chief Dan George(Jimmy Moffatt/ Paddy Aspell) poses the greatest threat. The Grade Two novice hurdle at 17.15 is the main feature here, and McCain and Maguire can double up with the smart Desert Cry, but Storm Brig (Alastair Whillans/ Brian Harding), who has won 4 of his 5 career starts, including twice here, looks a worthy opponent.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tartan Snow - Seeyaaj - Guns And Butter
2. Race: Wind Shuffle - Nine Stories - Alfie Flits
3. Race: Patterning - Proud Times - Pokfulham
4. Race: Ballabriggs - Chief Dan George - Skippers Brig
5. Race: Storm Brig - Desert Cry - Wyse Hill Teabags
6. Race: Quotica De Poyans - Spellchecker - Viking Rebel
7. Race: Kings Guard - Everaard - Golfer`S Crossing