Doing Fine out to make amends for last year's near-miss

Betfair London National Handicap Chase | 3m5f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RUK

Neil Mulholland returns with last year's runner-up Doing Fine bidding to improve on a neck defeat that denied his trainer back-to-back wins.

Yet to finish outside the first five for the stable he arrives off a staying on third at Cheltenham but with a 13lb higher rating than he had 12 months ago.

"He has run well twice round Sandown in the London National and Bet365 Gold Cup," said Mulholland who saddled Carole's Destrier to win two years ago.

"Hopefully it will stay as dry as possible at Sandown and if it does he will have a chance."

National failure

Nicky Henderson has won most jumping prizes but he has never landed the Grand National, nor any of the numerous other marathons that have 'National' in the race title.

Yet Seven Barrows resident Sugar Baron must be on any shortlist having finished strongly to snatch second place in 3m1f handicap chase at Cheltenham.

"I have never won a National of any description so maybe this is one I can finally win," said the trainer.

"He likes extreme distances. One yard further at Cheltenham last time and he would have won. He got himself hopelessly outpaced at one stage. I have put blinkers on because the cheekpieces weren't having enough effect."

Headgear will have to work wonders

Cresswell Breeze boasts Henderson's elusive 'National' success, having ended a losing run to claim the Southern National at Fontwell, while Fletcher's Flyer, a winner at the 2016 Punchestown Festival for Harry Fry, has struggled more recently, including when pulled up in the Irish Grand National.

Fry said: "He is crying out for this trip. We are trying cheekpieces for the first time but they will have to work wonders because he hasn't run that well on his last few starts. Let's hope they bring about a return to form."

Stage set for another Nicholls win

Paul Nicholls employed Jack Sherwood to help Rocky Creek win last year's prize under a big weight and has turned to amateur Lorcan Williams for this year's top weight Southfield Theatre, whose course form includes fourth place in the 2016 Bet365 Gold Cup.

"He ran very well at Wincanton on his first run for a long time," said Nicholls. The ground will suit him better. We have a good claimer riding and he has a chance in a competitive race."

What they say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Benbens
As long as the ground doesn’t get too soft he’d have a good chance. He’s an out and out stayer who finished third in the Scottish National.

Alex Hales, trainer of Topper Thornton
I was delighted with his run at Carlisle. He ran a blinder and hopefully can improve on his first run for us. I bought him as a horse that might be unexposed over staying trips. We will find out here.

Sandown racecard

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