Saturday reaction: 'He should top any shortlist for the Scottish Grand National'

Take a chance on Classic winner at Ayr

There seems not a chance that he will be running in the Grand National, but Classic Chase winner Notachance is very much a horse to look out for.

Aintree's loss could be Ayr's gain as Notachance looks every inch the sort to land another big staying prize.

If anything he hit the front a little soon at Warwick, so well was he travelling, and the seven-year-old has plenty more to offer after just six chase outings.

Notachance does not need very soft ground to be fully effective and he should top any shortlist for the Scottish Grand National in April.

Leamington victor has something to find at Cheltenham

Underestimating Adrimel has been an expensive mistake to make and victory in the Ballymore Leamington Novices' Hurdle was his fifth from just six appearances.

He seems to do just enough and there is no doubting his resolve or, now, his ability to stay 2m5f.

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Saturday reaction: 'He should top any shortlist for the Scottish Grand National'

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However, this is not form to strike fear into the hearts of those who have backed Bravemansgame or Bob Olinger for the Ballymore itself at Cheltenham.

Plenty of the field were still in contention three out, just three lengths covered the first five home and the horse who finished 16th in last season's Champion Bumper will have something to find again at the festival this season.

National Hunt Chase next for impressive Destination?

Next Destination was odds-on favourite for the Grade 2 novice chase at Warwick, but he had no easy task giving 5lb to fellow Grade 1 hurdles winner Fiddlerontheroof and Kauto Star Chase fourth Golan Fortune.

So he deserves plenty of credit for the way he accomplished his task, jumping soundly and staying on strongly to score with ultimate authority.

He races like a horse who will improve again when tried over further than three miles and would have to be taken very seriously for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.

Golan Fortune is better than the bare result having had his rivals on the stretch until a mistake three out, and he would be worth bearing in mind in a handicap off his current mark.

Next Destination: could be one for the National Hunt ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Replays, results and analysis

Aim for the Sky at Cheltenham

Not many horses beaten in the 3m2f Kim Muir return to Cheltenham to land the 2m Johnny Henderson Grand Annual but not many horses are like Sky Pirate.

Having frustrated over longer trips in his younger days, he has come back from wind surgery and a ten-month break and been a revelation dropped right back in trip on his last two appearances.

He showed much-improved form to win at Cheltenham last month and stepped up again to defy an 11lb rise in the weights in the Edward Courage Cup at Warwick.

Jonjo O'Neill: won at Warwick with Sky PirateCredit: Edward Whitaker

The smooth way he travelled through the race and then found plenty when challenged briefly on the run-in suggests he's still far enough ahead of the handicapper to go very well in the Grand Annual back at the festival in March.

Each-way chance in the Betfair Hurdle

Success in a four-runner race at Market Rasen does not make you a good thing for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

However, there was an awful lot to like about the way Edwardstone got the job done. The one-time hard-puller settles much better now and he won with any amount to spare.

The progressive second-season hurdler is just the sort of which big handicap winners are made and he makes each-way appeal at double-figure odds under just a 5lb penalty for the Newbury contest on February 13.

Edwardstone (near): still on the up after scoring at Market RasenCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Betfair Hurdle card and betting

Bumper winner looks smart

Eileendover is the real deal and not to be opposed lightly wherever she turns up next.

The fine way she completed a hat-trick in the Listed mares' bumper at Market Rasen suggests she will take some beating in the Grade 2 event for her sex at Aintree in April.

She would also be a live contender for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, were she to be aimed at that, and will make a decent Flat racer too when the time comes.

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