Progressive Greyed A faces the unknown in big-field Surrey National

3.50 Lingfield
tipstars.tips Surrey National Handicap Chase

The week after the Grand National weights were revealed at a snazzy ceremony in Liverpool, Lingfield has attracted a competitive field of 17 runners for its own National.

The 3m5f Surrey National Handicap Chase may be run over a shorter distance than its Aintree equivalent but plenty of stamina will still be required, with the going described as heavy yesterday.

Worcestershire-based trainer Richard Newland, who won the Grand National in 2014 with Pineau De Re, often does well in this sort of race and he sends usual front-runner Greyed A to tackle what is likely to be a gruelling test.

The eight-year-old had a progressive profile prior to finishing fourth over a similar distance at Catterick last month, although he did not get to lead in Yorkshire, a problem he may encounter again with 16 rivals here.

Greyed A: pictured winning at Fontwell last year under Sam Twiston-DaviesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Newland said: “He’s in good form. I’m looking forward to running him but it looks a pretty competitive race.

“The ground might possibly be drying up too much for him – he likes it deep – and this trip is a bit of an unknown, but I’m hopeful of a good run.

“He’s happier when he’s on his own bowling along in his own time. As soon as the taps were turned on [at Catterick] he hit a fence at the wrong time and that was game over.

“You’d hope that one day a race like this will work out for him, but whether this is the day I’ve no idea.”

Socksy is another entering the race with some decent recent form in the book.

The eight-year-old mare, trained by Fergal O’Brien, has had a mini-break after two fine seconds at Sedgefield and Wetherby under conditional jockey Connor Brace.

O’Brien said: “Connor gets on well with her, and testing ground and a long trip should suit. She’s been very consistent in her last couple of runs so we’re hoping she can go one better.

“I don’t think the extra couple of furlongs will inconvenience her, she wasn’t stopping on her last couple of runs over three miles, she was done for a bit of speed or by one carrying a lot less weight. I’m hoping she’ll run well.”

The Venetia Williams-trained Royal Tara, who put up a bold jumping display at Chepstow last month before tiring late, is another entering the £16,271 contest in good heart, while the 11-year-old Pearl Swan ran respectably in better company last spring but sits at the head of the weights.

Knockanrawley, another 11-year-old, boasts an Eider Chase second on his CV and has just his second run of the season for Kim Bailey.

The trainer is not particularly optimistic about the grey’s chances, and said: “We have been trying to run him for a while, he wants heavy ground and he hasn’t had that all season. He had one run at Sandown which didn’t go to plan, so we’ve ended up here.

“He never shows anything at home, he’s the slowest horse at home, but that’s always been the case – he certainly hasn’t got any quicker. This is probably his last season.”

Four for the Lion?

Lion Hearted has not looked back since joining Mick Appleby’s yard last month and bids for a fourth success on the bounce in the 0-70 mile handicap at Newcastle (6.00).

Lion Hearted: bids for a fourth success at NewcastleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The five-year-old, who was unplaced in all seven starts for previous connections, was an emphatic six-length winner of an apprentice handicap at Newcastle on Friday and Appleby is confident of another bold show.

The trainer said: “He’s come out of his race very well from the other day. It will suit him stepping back up to a mile and he should take all the beating again.”

Lion Hearted, a half-brother to Bossy Guest, who was fourth in the 2,000 Guineas in 2015, will be partnered for the first time by Luke Morris.

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