Next race off: switch of disciplines may work the oracle for Spiritofthegames

4.15 Aintree
Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 3m1f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

Spiritofthegames must be one of the most frustrating chasers in training, but Racing Post Ratings suggest he is the most talented horse in this line up at the weights. So can he cash in?

The problem is he has been well handicapped for quite some time but keeps failing to to take full advantage. His losing run now stands at 14 and he evidently isn’t the most straightforward, but trainer Dan Skelton is mixing hurdles and chasing and that might work.

Skelton has a remarkably good record with runners who were switching to fences after running in a hurdle on their latest start. The Warwickshire-based trainer has saddled 78 winners from 307 such runners and a £1 bet on each would have yielded a profit of £31.74.

That does include his chase debutants and Spiritofthegames evidently isn’t that, but even when you take those away Skelton has 28 winners from 116 runners who were returning to chasing after a spell over hurdles. That’s still a more than respectable 24 per cent strike-rate.

Sam Brown: nicely treated?Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Sam Brown is a completely different type who has had only four starts over fences and eight in total, but he is well treated judging on his third in a Listed chase at Carlisle in November.

He evidently doesn’t stand much racing and it’s no surprise he is usually cherry ripe when he does make it to the track. His record after breaks of at least 50 days reads 4113 and his trainer Anthony Honeyball’s runners generally go well fresh. He has a 20 per cent strike-rate (54-279) with those returning from at least 150 days off, for a £1 level-stake profit of £21.06

Lalor and Mr Whipped are back from even longer absences and Lalor has the better record after a break. He has been off for 441 days and recorded his equal career-best RPR when winning a Grade 2 novice chase at Cheltenham after a 219-day absence in November 2018.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Top Notch
He ran a wonderful race at Cheltenham when we claimed off him, so we've the same lad on board, Luca Morgan. If he does the same at Aintree he should have a great chance.

Kim Bailey, trainer of Happygolucky
He ran a huge race at Cheltenham and now goes to Aintree in a good place. I'm looking forward to another big run.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Spiritofthegames
We're trying three miles, a flat track and decent ground with him because if you keep doing the same thing, you keep getting the same results, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

Fagan: trainer Alex Hales is optimisticCredit: Edward Whitaker

Alex Hales, trainer of Fagan
He has taken a while to get to know and he arrived at the yard with some issues but he looked good last time. He has a touch of class and this looks the right race for him.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Mr Whipped
He probably still has that touch of class, but he's been off for more than two years. It's a tough starting point, but he's rated 142 and it's difficult to find something. He's done a lot of work and is as fit as we can get him first time out.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Cloudy Glen
He’s not been the most consistent of horses but his run at Cheltenham when he was second last time was as good as anything he’s produced. I’m not sure this track will suit him quite as well but we’ll find out. He wouldn’t mind a drop of rain either.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Calipso Collonges
He's been knocking on the door in staying chases and is a horse who deserves to win one but he hasn't got a pound in hand off his mark.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Ofalltheginjoints
The result at Cheltenham didn't do him justice as he travelled really well in the National Hunt Chase and didn't get home. He ran well around Aintree at the beginning of the season and that puts him in with an each-way chance.

Tom Lacey, trainer of Johnbb
I think he's probably the most interesting runner in the race. He's going up in trip for the first time, which looks like it should bring out some improvement. You just wonder whether he's got the experience to cope in a big handicap like this, but I'm looking forward to running him.
Reporting by James Burn

Read more Grand National day previews:

Runner-by-runner guide: trainer quotes and ratings for the Grand National

'You'd have to like his chances' – Jonjo O'Neill bullish about Cloth Cap

2.25 Aintree: rapidly progressive My Drogo bids to stamp himself the best novice in Britain

3.00 Aintree: how does super Shishkin measure up to the other great champions?

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