Grand National trials today

With Cheltenham due to start in 10 days tíme, none of the of the N.H. stars are likely to be seen out in the near future, and thoughts are already turning to the Grand National which is still a month a half away. Three races today can be regarded as trials for Aintree and trainer Donald McCain entered his 2011 winner BallaBriggs in all three of them. In the event he has plumped for the Premier Chase at 17.10 CET at Kelso, in which BallaBriggs finished runner-up a year ago- his only defeat in his last 7 races. He faces only 4 opponents today, of whom two probably have no chance whatever, but Master of the Hall (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy) and According to Pete (Malcolm Jefferson/ Harry Haynes) could both prove bothersome. Obviously it would be nice to see BallaBriggs return to action with another win, and he is easily top-rated here, but under the circumstances we feel that According to Pete may be the better bet. However his trainer and his jockey Jason Maguire should not le ave the track empty-handed, as Absinthe can win the opening novice hurdle at 14.55, while ex-French Ubaltique. making his British debut, also appeals at 16.35.

The Grimthorpe Chase, a handicap over 3 1/4 miles at 16.25 at Doncaster, is another race where National clues can be found. Junior (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) is the stable´s top Aintree hope and should win this, although it looks a very open race, even though West End Rocker, the ante-post favourite, is not a certain runner. German-bred Quicuyo (James Ewart/ Brian Hughes) has been a big friend this season, winning 3 of his last 4 races - all of them here- and despite meeting better opposition this time can score again in the 2 miles handicap chase at 17.35. Top-weight Takeroc (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Derham), who has been running in better grade events, looks the main danger.
The veterans race for 10yo´s and up, at 15.40 at Newbury is the other place to look with Aintree in mind. German-bred Fair Along (Philip Hobbs/ Tom O´Brien) ran a great race over this CD to finish third in the Hennessy in November, but on this occasion we prefer Niche Market (Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), 5th in last year´s National. Nicholls and Walsh can also take the richest race on the Newbury card, a 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at 16.10, with the relatively unexposed Aerial.