'He's a bit of a freak' - Davidson harbouring hopes of Highland National victory

2.40 Perth
William Hill Highland National Handicap Chase (For The Julian Llewellen Palmer Memorial Trophy) | Class 3 | 3m6½f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The Highland National is generally the weakest of Scotland's four provincial Nationals, although it is significantly more competitive than your average midweek 0-130 and is going the right way in terms of grading, having been a 0-125 prior to 2018.

There is no horse in the field you could confidently assert has been laid out for the race. If there is one, it is possibly Duc De Grissay. He was aimed at the Borders National in December and was right up with winner Dino Boy when unseating at the last. His mark suffered for that but he has run only twice since and remains unexposed granted a thorough test.

The early betting has Boyhood (laboured last time when admittedly running well) and Gran Paradiso (steps up significantly in class) vying for favouritism, but personal fancies are all in the next tranche in the betting.

Duc De Grissay bids to give Sandy Thomson success in the Highland National at Perth on FridayCredit: Jonathan Grossick

As well as Duc De Grissay, Tea Time On Mars is well worth another go at marathon trips having sensibly been given an eight-week break after his Devon National second. You do not need to look far to see Cyclop's suitability for the test and, since winning by 20 lengths in January he has been running better than the bare figures imply. That includes a 16-length fourth in the Eider, which was away from the mud he usually races in and gives encouragement under the likely conditions here.

Positive mention is also given to Big Difference. The negatives are that he can be a little clumsy and is perhaps not entirely straightforward, but he is a strapping chaser who should relish the marathon trip and continues to leave the impression he is quite a bit better than a 115-rated horse.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

Tristan Davidson hoping for more from 'freak' Gran Paradiso

Breeding and pedigree will get you a long way in terms of a horse's ability but the progress of Gran Paradiso this season for Tristan Davidson demonstrates you can't always be sure in which direction it will take you.

Gran Paradiso is by the mighty Galileo and out of a Storm Cat mare, while he came within half a length of breaking his maiden on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien in the autumn of 2015.

Gran Paradiso bids to add further success for Harry Reed and Tristan Davidson at Perth on FridayCredit: John Grossick

He is not the first Ballydoyle castoff to find success in a different realm and, if running in a chase over an extended three miles and six was not an obvious outcome, even competing under rules at this stage of the nine-year-old's career is something of a Plan B after he was bought out of Micky Hammond's yard three years ago.

Davidson said: "Norman Sanderson actually bought him to go pointing, but when it was all cancelled because of Covid-19 he asked if I'd like to train him.

"He's really taken off in his races and I've known Norman for ages, since I was involved in points, and he's a really nice guy and a good friend. It's good to see him having done so well after the points had to shut down."

After showing promise on his first three starts for Davidson, Gran Paradiso struck twice at Sedgefield last month and looks to build on those successes.

"He’s a bit of a freak, " said Davidson. "I'm hoping he runs another good race but it's a step up on what he's been doing recently. He has a nice low weight and he seems very well in himself."

What they say

Henry Daly, trainer of Head To The Stars
I think this trip on a flat track should suit him and we try to keep him away from undulating tracks. He handles any ground well.

David Dennis, assistant to Matt Sheppard, trainer of Cyclop
His run in the Eider when fourth was a superb effort and I think he should be competitive again. The ground is a bit of a concern as in an ideal world it'd be softer, but he's run well on the surface before. He's continues to be in good form but he’s had a good season, so is high in the weights for this.

Cyclop: 'He should be competitive again'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Tom George, trainer of Boyhood
He's enjoyed his return to fences this season and he's in good form. We'd like to think he can run another good race.

Sandy Thomson, trainer of Duc De Grissay
He was unlucky in the Borders National and he's come out of it very well. He could've done with the ground being softer but he seems well in himself and I think he'll run a nice race.

Lucy Gardner, rider of Tea Time On Mars
He ran very well in the Devon National last time and I'm hoping the better ground will suit him as well – he won over hurdles under these sort of conditions. He'll stay, he’s not been overraced and I'd hope he’d have a good chance.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Big Difference
He's painfully consistent and he seems to only have one gear, so we hope going up in trip will suit him. The only time he's tried a marathon trip it was on heavy ground going left-handed and he doesn't like either of those. Good ground, right-handed is his thing and we think he should stay, but it's the end of a long season for him.
Reporting by Scott Burton

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