Bear could rise from his slumber as opportunity knocks for National contenders

3.30 Doncaster
Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase | 3m2f | 5yo+ | ITV/Sky

The main contrast this year between Saturday's two Grand National trials, the Grimthorpe and the Premier Chase, is that at Kelso those likeliest to play a part at Aintree look most up against it at the Borders track. At Doncaster, handicap conditions mean that is rarely the case.

Trainer Alan King reports that this will be Canelo's final run before a Grand National tilt. Going for the National would have seemed unlikely early in the season, simply on account of his previously scratchy jumping. He has improved on that score, though, and landed the Rowland Meyrick over Christmas, alongside eyecatching efforts either side when second to Cap Du Nord (now 18lb higher) at Newbury and fourth in the Sky Bet Chase here in January.

While it has not generally been the case in recent years, Doncaster in early March has a better than average chance of offering good ground and a few of the runners are here in the expectation of spring conditions.

That goes most strongly for Special Prep, whose connections have taken the opportunity to get him fit in two jumpers' bumpers rather than risk running in deep ground through the winter.

The nine-year-old is well handicapped on what he was doing around this time two years ago, for all his career has been rather staccato since.

Something similar applies to Beware The Bear who, a win on New Year's Day in 2019 aside, is best known for his runs away from midwinter ground. The handicapper is finally cutting him some slack, and Doncaster's long straight gives him the necessary time to unfurl.

Beware The Bear is best suited by an end-to-end gallop, too, but there must be doubts over him getting one here. There is nothing resembling a regular front-runner among the seven declarations. He has been known to go forward himself – as has Red Infantry – and the opportunity looks to be there for James Bowen to reprise those tactics with very little resistance.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

King happy with good ground for Canelo

The Grimthorpe is often used as a key Randox Health Grand National trial by trainers with leading contenders for the Aintree showpiece.

The Last Samuri went on to finish second to Rule The World on Merseyside after bolting up at Doncaster in 2016, while Definitly Red, winner of the Grimthorpe the following year, was sent off 10-1 for the 2017 National prior to being pulled up after getting badly hampered at the first Becher's.

Alan King, who enjoyed big-race success with the exciting Tritonic at Kempton last Saturday, is hoping Canelo can advertise his claims for the world's most famous steeplechase, for which he is currently a general 40-1 chance, by following in the hoofprints of those two talented performers.

"This will be Canelo's final run before the Grand National," King said. "He's in good order, and has been progressing well, running another sound race in the Sky Bet Chase last time.

"The drying ground should be no concern. Though Canelo won the Rowland Meyrick on soft ground and all his jockeys say he loves it like that, I always thought of him as a good ground horse."

The eight-year-old is certain to start favourite for the Town Moor feature based on some thoroughly progressive form this winter which has seen him score at Aintree and Wetherby.

His overall record over fences is three wins from nine runs, and the fact that three of the last five National winners have been aged eight could be taken as another plus point towards his Aintree chance.

Canelo: 'I always thought of him as a good ground horse'Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Beware The Bear
The Grand National is his big target and this will be his only run in between. He's in good form, ran well when fifth in the Ladbrokes Trophy, and I think he'll enjoy this.

Harry Fry, trainer of Just A Sting
He had a run on the all-weather at Kempton in a jumpers' bumper last month, and I hope that has put him spot-on for a race of this nature. He has gone well on better ground in the past, and hopefully he can bounce back.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Chidswell
He won the race two years ago and likes the track. He stays the trip well, and is effective on the sort of ground he'll get at Doncaster. If he can get into a good rhythm early on I can see him running a good race.

David Parker, assistant to Pauline Robson, trainer of Special Prep
He's in very good form. He's a proper good or good to firm ground horse, and that's one of the reasons why he hasn't run many times this winter as it's been so wet. He's a course-and-distance winner and will hopefully run very well.

Sam England, trainer of Chef D'Oeuvre
He's had a wind op since his last run and seems in good form. It's not the strongest running of the Grimthorpe and hopefully he has a good chance off his low weight.
Reporting by James Burn

Read more Saturday previews

1.15 Newbury: Why Present Man deserves to be favourite in battle of the veteran chasers

1.30 Kelso: Dan Skelton believes My Drogo 'must have a big chance' of defying penalty

1.50 Newbury: Paul Nicholls' record in the Greatwood Gold Cup tells only half the story

2.40 Kelso: National favourite Cloth Cap takes tried-and-trusted route for Trevor Hemmings

3.15 Kelso: The Shunter heads new-look Morebattle with late festival pointers still possible

3.30 Doncaster: Bear could rise from his slumber as opportunity knocks for National contenders

Saturday Jury: 'We're hoping it'll be Groundhog Day' - Brian Ellison's main fancy at Doncaster

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