Yala Enki back for more as National Trial attracts big field

3.35 Haydock
William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 3m4½f, 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Yala Enki bids to become only the second horse to win back to back runnings of the Grand National warm up since Silver By Nature slogged through the north-west mud to victory in 2010 and 2011.

On the latter occasion, Silver By Nature carried topweight to victory, something that Yala Enki will have to match if he is to advertise his Aintree claims.

Venetia Williams, who also landed this marathon contest with Rigadin De Beauchene in 2014, has taken off some of the burden by engaging her 7lb claiming conditional Hugh Nugent for one of the biggest rides of his career.

Usually partnered by Charlie Deutsch, Yala Enki has had a productive winter already, scoring on his reappearance at Bangor in November before finishing just shy of the reopposing Ramses De Teillee when third in the Welsh National last time.

Williams said: "He won the race last year but the conditions will be very different this year. He has got to give a lot of weight away to a good field but he has been in good form and hopefully he can be competitive once again."

Can Pipe strike again?

David Pipe is two-handed on the trail of a second success in this in just three years chiefly with Ramses De Teillee, who has already proven himself in one stamina test having finished second to Elegant Escape in the Coral Welsh National.

Ramses De Teillee: runner-up in the Welsh National last timeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The Somerset handler also pitches his 2017 winner Vieux Lion Rouge back into the mix who later that year went onto run a respectable sixth in the Grand National.

Although Ramses De Teillee may not be making the trip to Liverpool in April, Vieux Lion Rouge could be on a return ticket for a fourth crack at the Aintree showpiece itself if he performs well here.

Pipe said: "Ramses De Teillee ran very well at Chepstow but ideally he would appreciate softer ground than he is likely to get here. He still should run a nice race. Vieux Lion Rouge was doing too much in blinkers at Chepstow so we are putting the side pieces back on which may help him get home."

Tizzard pair to step up?

Another trainer doubly-represented is Colin Tizzard, who has Royal Vacation and Robinsfirth among the final field of 16 runners.

Royal Vacation returned to winning ways last time out when winning at Taunton in January whilst Robinsfirth made an eye-catching reappearance when runner-up to the reopposing Wakanda in the Peter Marsh chase at the track a month ago.

Tizzard said: "Robinsfirth had a comeback run up there last month which was really strong and I think he has come on for the run. We know he acts around there and we are expecting a big run from him.

"Royal Vacation is back in the form of his life, he was disappointing last season but he is really good again," he added. "He did it really nicely at Taunton and that looked quite a good race. He is a Grade 1 winner who is certainly on the comeback. This was the obvious target with the National after."

Day for the underdog?

The Two Amigos: bidding for a hat-trick of winsCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Nicky Martin only has ten horses to run under rules at her Somerset yard and is looking forward to taking on the big boys with The Two Amigos who heads north on a hat-trick.

Despite his diminutive size, The Two Amigos has already won one National as he landed the Sussex version at Plumpton last time.

Martin said: "We've never had a runner in a £100,000 race before so it's a big deal for us. The Two Amigos was winning point-to-points a year ago so has come a long way in a short space of time and he's sure to give another good account."

What the others say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Ballyoptic and Ballyarthur
Ballyoptic loves a real stamina test and was second in the Scottish National last year. He goes on any ground and should be thereabouts, as should Ballyarthur.

Ian Williams, trainer of Red Infantry
Red Infantry is in good form at home and the long-term target is the Grand National and we will learn more about him here. He should like the trip and jumps nicely so hopefully he can then beat the cut for Aintree.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Impulsive Star and Carole's Destrier
Impulsive Star enjoyed a true test around Warwick last time and this should suit him as should the drying ground. Carole's Destrier ran well to be fourth in the Warwick race and has been in good form at home.

Evan Williams, trainer of Pobbles Bay
We wanted to run him in the Welsh National but he didn't get in so this is plan B. He ran well on his comeback over hurdles and we're delighted to be running for such a big prize.

Sam England, trainer of Chef D'Oeuvre
The drying ground won't be in his favour but he goes there with a small each-way chance."

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