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Grand National festival

Names to note: seven horses to follow from the Grand National meeting

Third, Betway Bowl (Thursday)

This has not been a fruitful campaign for last season's Ryanair Chase hero Balko Des Flos but there were signs in Thursday's Bowl – as there were on his return to Cheltenham last month – that he retains plenty of ability.


Kemboy dominates rivals in Betway Bowl


A serious mistake at Aintree's final fence cost him much momentum and second place. Up to that point we saw something resembling the old Balko Des Flos, to the extent that having dropped down the ratings he would be of real interest if asked to contest the Galway Plate, a race he won with ease two years ago.
Lee Mottershead

Winner, mares' bumper (Thursday)

The mares' bumper may not be the most prestigious race of the meeting but it threw up its most surefire future winner.

The Glancing Queen had looked something special when winning a Listed race on her debut under rules at Cheltenham and this Grade 2 success confirmed it.

She won her only start in point-to-points before joining Alan King and is nailed on to win novice hurdles next season.
David Carr

Third, mares' bumper (Thursday)

There was an awful lot to like about Daylight Katie’s run in the mares’ bumper and she is one to keep onside next season. She stayed on well and got closest to the front two, who both look classy for this division.

That she can be kept to her own sex means there should be plenty of races to be won with her, a step up in trip should help considerably and she is good enough that owner David Dunsdon may just be tempted to let a professional ride her.

Were that to happen she could be up to winning Graded races over hurdles rather than placing in them.
Stuart Riley

Third, Mildmay Novices' Chase (Friday)

Phil Kirby has been boosted by the recent arrivals of Blaklion and Don Poli but his most exciting staying chaser could already have been housed in the yard.

Top Ville Ben ran a mighty race from the front in the Mildmay Novices' Chase and was just pipped for second by RSA winner Topofthegame, behind the impressive Lostintranslation.


Lostintranslation poised to become Tizzard's next Cue Card after Mildmay success


The diminutive seven-year-old was an early faller in the RSA but is generally nimble at his fences and his positive running style puts pressure on his rivals.

He looks capable of winning plenty of races next season and is one to really look out for at Wetherby, where he has won both his starts over fences by a combined 83 lengths. The Charlie Hall Chase looks an obvious starting point.
Andrew Dietz

Fourth, Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Friday)

One of the least experienced in Friday's Sefton, Walk Away ran a race full of promise in fourth and looks a lovely staying chaser in the making.


Champ lives up to his name to land the Sefton Novices' Hurdle


Pitched in at the deep end having run in only one point-to-point and a maiden hurdle, there was a lot to like about the way he stayed on stoutly having initially been outpaced, and he was perhaps a tad unfortunate not to finish a little closer to the three very smart rivals in front of him.

There is room for improvement in his jumping but no doubt the engine is there and he looks just the sort to go on improving for trainer Henry de Bromhead.
Lewis Porteous

Dan Skelton: has a top prospect in Ardlethen
Dan Skelton: has a top prospect in ArdlethenCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Eighth, Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Friday)

Several smart types contested what appeared a strong renewal of the Sefton, and one worth noting over fences next season is the Dan Skelton-trained Ardlethen.

An impressive dual scorer at Uttoxeter this season, Ardlethen travelled well for a long way when taking a big leap in class at Aintree.

He weakened out of contention after the third-last and was rightfully looked after by Harry Skelton, but this imposing brute of a six-year-old is a proverbial chaser in the making and remains a smart prospect for owners Mike and Eileen Newbould.
Jack Haynes

Second, bumper (Friday)

After more than a year off Thebannerkingrebel ran a screamer in defeat, going down narrowly to favourite McFabulous.

Trained by Jamie Snowden, Thebannerkingrebel won his first two starts but had not been sighted since being pulled up in the 2018 Champion Bumper when having issues with his wind.

He has stacks of stamina in his pedigree and if his breathing problems are a thing of the past he can start to showcase his talent.
David Baxter


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Published on 8 April 2019inGrand National festival

Last updated 13:16, 8 April 2019

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