'He's absolutely pinging and I can't wait to run him' - who fancies their chances of landing the Grimthorpe Chase?

It is known by now that prominent racing is an advantage over fences. The two other factors most likely to bake in the bias are deep ground and big fields. Last year's Grimthorpe had the former, this year's the latter.

The race is not replete with front-runners, as you might expect for a 13-strong field in a 3m2f chase. The expectation is that Twig will renew his usual tactics. Bouncing out seemed to have a positive effect on Weveallbeencaught when he won down in grade here five weeks ago.

You might think any pace bias would count against Some Scope. He is often held up and always used to be when ridden by Gavin Sheehan, who is back in the saddle this time. Even so he nearly overcame the bias last year in deep ground, conditions that his connections have tended to avoid.

Some Scope has always looked like the type to win one of Doncaster's major staying chases. He scooted in over 3m here before his Grimthorpe second last year. His Rowland Meyrick win over Christmas, on unusually quick ground for that race, showed that he is an improved model this season.

Some Scope is still only seven, remember. So is The Kniphand. They are interesting, but many of the older horses in this year's race are just as unexposed.

Surrey Quest's season has been waiting to catch light. Twig sprang into life around this time in 2024 and has been campaigned over hurdles so far this season. The least exposed of the lot is nine-year-old novice White Rhino.

The central quandary of this year's Grimthorpe is whether to lean in on the horse who looks made for it in Some Scope or to fire off a couple of darts knowing that the field is so deep.

It is yet another staying handicap chase that shows the division to be in unexpectedly good health.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Ben Pauling, trainer of Twig
He needs to run once to qualify for the Grand National this season, so this is that event. He's fresh and well and the ground is going to be in his favour, so I dare say he'll run a big race.

Josh Guerriero, joint-trainer of White Rhino
He's got to overcome last time and has had a couple of setbacks since, but he's in great form. If he comes back to what he was, as he looked progressive, he'd have a great chance. He'll love the track and ground and I'm expecting a big run.

Toby Lawes, trainer of Surrey Quest
He's in fantastic form at home, I'm absolutely delighted with him. We're back on a galloping, left-handed track and he always travels much easier on those courses. The ground should be fine for him and I'm not concerned about the trip as he's won a nice enough race over it before.

Harry Derham, trainer of Fidelio Vallis
He ran pretty well last time. I wanted to go to Newbury with him, but the ground is drier at Doncaster. He's handicapped to run a good race – it’s more a matter of whether he stays the trip.

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant trainer of Weveallbeencaught, Undersupervision and The Kniphand
Weveallbeencaught won there last time and looks in good form at home. Undersupervision has some course form and looks to be back in good order and is a lively outsider. The Kniphand has run well at the track and has won for Finn Lambert, who gets on with him, and he's a live each-way squeak. The race suits all of them and I'm optimistic.

Harry Fry, trainer of Hymac
He's hit the crossbar over fences this season. He ran well at Newbury last time and we've had this race in mind. We're hoping the first-time cheekpieces sharpen him up.

Richard Hobson, trainer of Some Scope
He's absolutely pinging – I can't wait to run him. It was a last-minute thing to run at Cheltenham last time as Fugitif missed the race and his owners wanted to put him in. He was second last year and if the ground had been good, I think he'd have won.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Lord Baddesley
There are glimmers of a horse who could win a race like this. He's had a good prep and a break since running quite well at Newbury last time over shorter. The trip is an unknown, but there are positives about it. Everything is set up for a nice run.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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