Grand National Trial Tips: Cromwell Raider Worth Support
A gruelling test awaits the horses entered in Haydock's Grand National Trial on Saturday, with the ground looking set to be soft or heavy in the North West over the three and a half mile trip. It will take a dour stayer to come out on top, and Billy Grimshaw thinks he's found the right one to side with...
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This really will not be for the faint hearted. Haydock is known for going heavy when a pigeon cries on the track, and with a wet forecast in store on Friday and Saturday on Merseyside, there is a chance this race will be run on a bit of a bog. One horse who will undoubtedly stay is the veteran Iwilldoit, who came back to win the Classic Chase at Warwick after a long lay-off last season in a stunning training performance by Sam Thomas. He has not managed to win since but has run with credit plenty of times, however with a huge 12 stone to lump around here I can't have him on my mind.
Two great stayers in the late Trevor Hemmings' colours, both ending in Bridge, will have their supporters here. Iron Bridge in particular warrants plenty of respect after a fine second place behind runaway winner of the Welsh National Nassalam last time out. There are some who fancy the winner that day for a Gold Cup this season, and while I think it'd need to come up heavy at Cheltenham in March for that to transpire, chasing him home was still a fine performance. Famous Bridge is not out of contention either, with his Tommy Whittle win here proving he loves it at Haydock in the mud and his Great Yorkshire Chase flop being easily excused after a howler of a mistake early spooked him and he never recovered.
Both horses have a task on their hands at the weights however, and one who certainly doesn't is Snipe who will be carrying just ten stone around Haydock. He has looked an out and out stayer thus far for Dan Skelton and with the lightest weight in the field, he could very well be springing round here while the others are toiling. He is yet to try a real marathon test like this but it'd be a surprise if he were not to enjoy it and he was last off my shortlist in truth.
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The horse that has made me sway from Snipe is YEAH MAN for Gavin Cromwell. His canny Irish trainer is operating at just under 25% when sending his runners over to Britain for some big prizes this campaign and this horse is no stranger to the ferry over, He has gone to Ascot twice this calendar year and been beaten by Victtorino on both occasions. First time out he looked promising before falling, while next he was beaten just half a length. I am a huge fan of the horse that has bested him twice and with more of a stamina test looking sure to suit, I'd expect him to be able to finally get in the winners' enclosure on British shores.
I also love the application of cheek pieces for him on his first try at the longer trip, as he is the type of horse who could lose a touch of concentration if they crawl early doors. This may not happen with Highland Hunter and Fontaine Collonges in the field, who both like to get on with it, but with the heavy going and both having weight to carry it'd be bold of either rider to blast off in front.
There are other dangers in the field, particularly My Silver Lining on the back of her win at Warwick in the Classic Chase last time out, which proved her liking for this sort of test. Nevertheless, a five pound rise has done her no favours and with Yeah Man looking slightly more progressive than the rest in the field he will do for me.