'The Two Amigos back to normal self and will love heavy ground'

MansionBet Southern National Handicap Chase (Class 3) 5yo+ | 3m3f149y | ITV4/Sky

Plenty of water has flowed under the bridge since The Two Amigos landed the Sussex National at neighbouring Plumpton in January, but trainer Nicky Martin is hopeful the misadventure her stable star suffered at Haydock the following month is behind them.

The seven-year-old was running a big race in the William Hill Grand National Trial when coming down, before being knocked over a second time when attempting to get back to his feet.

"This has been the plan but it turned out after his run comeback run over hurdles at Uttoxeter that he still had an underlying problem from his fall at Haydock," said Martin.

"He ran so badly that I had him checked out and we seem to have fixed the damage. I had him treated after the fall because he got caught square in the side.

"We found he had some muscular problems on his flank which we seem to have released. We schooled him this week and he seems back to his normal self. He'll like the ground, the heavier the better."

Another winner of a regional National is The Caller, who beat the reopposing Chasma in the Durham version at Sedgefield in October.

Captain Cattistock (centre, checked sleeves) quickly made up into a smart chaser in the second half of the 2018-19 seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst/ Getty Images

Captain Cattistock won twice from four attempts over fences as a novice, including over just short of this course and distance in April.

Paul Nicholls is hopeful his charge will be a hardier prospect for a recent seventh placed effort at Wincanton.

"He probably needed the run the other day at Wincanton," said Nicholls. "I always had this race half in my mind. He has won at Fontwell before, so he should go well."

Shanroe Santos (right): won this race a year agoCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Shanroe Santos won this prize a year ago and although that proved to be his only success last season, he kept good company throughout, notably when finding only Beware The Bear too good at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

"He's had his palate cauterised, so he was a bit late starting," said trainer Lucy Wadham. "He's in good order but he does tend to need a run, so we're keeping our fingers and toes crossed.

"He's only 1lb higher than last year and actually carries less weight, so we’re hoping for a good run."

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