National Trial sure to be tough going as course specialists do battle in the mud

2.40 Haydock
William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 3m4½f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

This has been a Grand National trial in name only in recent seasons with the last Aintree hero to land the race being 1993 winner Party Politics, and that was the year after his Grand National success.

Quite whether a 3m4½f slog around Haydock on testing ground would be the perfect preparation for such a gruelling test as the Grand National is also questionable, and the bulk of these connections don't fancy the double with only two runners holding entries for Aintree.

Lord Du Mesnil is a 50-1 chance for the April showpiece, but it is this side of Merseyside that has got his juices flowing in the past and this race has probably been the big target all season.

The Richard Hobson-trained eight-year-old revels in the Haydock mud and three of his four highest Racing Post Ratings have been achieved at the track, for form figures reading 112.

A course-and-distance winner in December 2019, Lord Du Mesnil returns to his favourite course for the first time since he finished second to Smooth Stepper in this race last season.

He races off just 2lb higher after being dropped in the weights due to a couple of below-par runs away from here over fences this season, but the return to this track could spark a revival.

Perfect Candidate was second to Lord Du Mesnil over course and distance in December 2019, and the 14-year-old veteran has a Haydock record of his own which equals that of his rival.

Form figures of 121 over course and distance illustrate Perfect Candidate's love for the place and he shows no sign of slowing down despite his advancing years. His latest victory here in November was a bloodless 45-length success in which he dominated from a long way out.

A rise of 8lb to a mark of 142 means he will race off his highest BHA rating since January 2019, but his ability to handle these conditions might be of more importance than weight.

Achille is the other Aintree entry in the line-up and he is trading at an even bigger price than Lord Du Mesnil for Grand National glory with some 80-1 available if you shop around.

His second to Notachance in the Classic Chase at Warwick last month could prove the key piece of form here. Notachance scored by half a length that day and Achille has a 3lb pull at the weights, but the winner looks more progressive and will be favourite to confirm the places.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Amigos could be punters' friend

The Two Amigos tries again to give Dartmoor-based trainer Nicky Martin her highest profile victory to date following another placed effort in the Welsh National at Chepstow last time.

The diminutive nine-year-old looked set to put his pocket-sized Somerset yard on the map that day until overhauled by the well-treated Secret Reprieve.

Win, lose or draw this weekend, The Two Amigos will not be heading to the Grand National itself this year and not because of his size.

Martin revealed: "We had hoped to get him ready for Aintree, but David Pipe can't open his National schooling fences to outsiders this year because of Covid-19 so we can't practice. The Two Amigos could go to the Scottish National instead this year."

On his chances this weekend, Martin said: "Unfortunately Matt Griffiths, who usually rides him, is going to Ascot to ride Dashel Drasher, so James Bowen takes over. He looks as if he should suit the horse, who is in serious form at home."

The Two Amigos (near): unable to prepare for Aintree this season and Scottish National could be the plan in AprilCredit: Alan Crowhurst

What they say

David Pipe, trainer of Ramses De Teillee
He was second in the race a couple of years ago and will love conditions. He made a mistake at the first in the Welsh National last time which didn't help him, but he seems fine now and we're claiming off him as he has top weight. He's a lively outsider.

Alan King, trainer of Notachance
He's had this as his target since winning the Classic Chase at Warwick last month and he's been in good shape in the intervening weeks. I've gradually stepped his work up in the last fortnight and I'm very happy with him. He seems to be improving, handles soft ground and stays really well so should be suited by this race.

Fergal O’Brien, trainer of Perfect Candidate
We've been waiting a while to send him back to Haydock on this sort of ground. It's a much more difficult task than when he won there in November, but he loves the place.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Sojourn
We were delighted with how he ran in the Tommy Whittle Chase at the track last time and we're hopeful he'll handle this longer trip. He goes there with a leading chance, although he won't be running at Aintree as I see him as a Welsh National type further down the line.

Lucy Wadham, trainer of Potters Legend
It's a competitive race, but he's in good shape at home and we expect him to get this sort of trip.
Reporting by David Milnes

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