'He has a nice racing weight and a live chance' - Yealand out again quickly in hat-trick bid after walkover

The Go North finals underline that races do not need to be Class 1s or full of well-treated contenders from big yards to be competitive. This race is a case in point. None of the runners are rated higher than 119 (O'Connell was but is a non-runner), but the process of whittling down a shortlist is not much easier than for most big handicaps.

The race has changed complexion since declarations, as O'Connell had been set to concede at least 13lb having finished second in the Eider last time. His stablemate Taras Halls had been of strong interest, but is also a non-runner. 

Yealand is on a hat-trick, albeit the second leg was a walkover at Haydock four days ago. Artic Row runs for Nick Alexander, who has had loads of runners this weekend and could have run the more obviously in-form Ned Tanner in this. Trac won the two-mile final on this card last year and has had a wind operation since his last run.

Rebecca Menzies won this 12 months ago with William Of York and relies upon veteran High Moon this time. He is without a win since April 2023 but has posted plenty of solid efforts since, including a respectable fifth over course and distance in October. He was travelling okay when falling at Wetherby last time.

It might not be the Grand National, but this field more than lives up to the £30,000 prize fund.
Analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Alan O’Keefe, assistant to Jennie Candlish, trainer of Yealand
He won a race that turned into a walkover the other day otherwise he wouldn’t have been running in this, but he has a nice racing weight and goes there with another live chance.

Iain Jardine, trainer of Half Shot
He has some decent form to his name including when second to Jagwar, who went on to win at the Cheltenham Festival. It’s competitive enough as you would expect, but he goes there with an each-way chance.  

Nick Alexander, trainer of Artic Row
He wasn’t suited by the slow ground last time so this better surface should suit him providing that effort hasn’t left a mark as it was only 15 days ago.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Indian Louis
We were worried he needed a flat track but he ran a super race when he finished second over course and distance last time. It looks a competitive race but he should have a chance.

Ann Hamilton, trainer of Hello Judge
He’s in great form at home and this looks the right race for him but a drop of rain would help his chances.  

Dianne Sayer, trainer of Sean Og
We declared him in this as he wants two and a half miles with some cut in the ground, but the rain looks like it has disappeared so we now wish we’d gone for the three-miler. Nevertheless, he won nicely at Catterick last time and it’s a series we like to support.
Reporting by David Milnes 

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