Court opens up new frontier for Welsh in marathon

4-00 Huntingdon
188Bet Cambridgeshire National Handicap Chase | 3m6½f l RUK

The second running of this staying feature in its new March slot has been rewarded with a biggest-ever turnout of eight runners, including Welsh raider Court Frontier.

Not many runners in any National were last in action over hurdles, but Paul Morgan's runner reverts to fences on a hat-trick after his most recent win at Warwick in January.

Oliver Sherwood knows all about Nationals, of which there are now 19 regional variations in Britain, and fields the equally progressive mare Blameitalonmyroots.

She goes into unknown territory, trip-wise, but was certainly not stopping when accounting for the useful Gevrey Chambertin over three miles at Kempton last time.

Lightly weighted pair Lord Heathfield and Wood Yer clash again after filling the places behind Barton Gift over just shy of this trip at Bangor last time.

National trial

Silver Man is the only one also entered in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree next month.

Yorkshire rarity

Mick Easterby, who saddles Ganbei, has had only one winner at the track in the past five years.

What they say

Jo Hughes, trainer of Silver Man
He's not really a winter horse as he doesn't like soft ground, which is why we've given him a break since October. He's ready to start back but will come on for it.

Oliver Sherwood, trainer of Blameitalonmyroots
We were very pleased with the way she won at Kempton last time, where it would have been sharp enough for her, and she should get this sort of trip no problem. It's competitive, as you'd expect, but she goes there with a good shout.

David Dennis, trainer of Cyclop
He handles soft ground but not sticky, so if they get more rain it may help him. He's won around the track over hurdles and should find this more suitable than Carlisle last time.

Graeme McPherson, trainer of Lord Heathfield
He was staying on over three miles five furlongs at Bangor last time, so should get the trip. Although he's 11, he hasn't many miles on the clock and is not badly handicapped. If it carries on raining it will be in his favour, so all in all we expect a bold show.

James Evans, trainer of Optimistic Bias
We've not had him that long and he ran very respectably first time for us at Ludlow. He should get the trip as he's won over three and a half miles over hurdles, though if they get a lot more rain it may not be in his favour.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Wood Yer
He's a good old slogger and will like the ground and the trip. He also has no weight, so should give a good account.