CLOTH CAP can enhance his Randox Grand National credentials with victory in the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.37pm) at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon.
After some of the Grand National hopefuls from Ireland put down their case last weekend with Any Second Now narrowly beating Escaria Ten in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, some of the British contenders will have their final prep race for the world’s greatest steeplechase at Doncaster, Kelso and Newbury on Saturday.
And Cloth Cap can bounce back to form and put down an Aintree marker with victory in the Grade Three feature at the Yorkshire track.
READ MORE: 92 entries remain in the Grand National after dual winner Tiger Roll taken out
Almost everything went right for the Jonjo O’Neill-trained 10-year-old last year with fine victories in the Ladbrokes Trophy and in the Premier Chase at Kelso on this day last year. He was seen as being ‘well-in’ for the Grand National on the back of that and was sent off favourite last April.
But he had to be pulled up at Aintree Racecourse by jockey Tom Scudamore and was later found to have a respiratory problem.
He hasn’t really shone since, finishing fourth at Cheltenham on his first start of the season and then sixth in the defence of his Ladbrokes Trophy crown at Newbury in November.
READ MORE: Trainers, jockeys and owners' reaction to Grand National weights
He ran well for a while at Ascot in December before making a mistake and refusing.
He has been given a small break since and is down to a 1lb lower than his winning mark at Kelso last year.
The hope is that he still retains his ability and a chance is taken he can bounce back to form. In the colours of triple Grand National winner Trevor Hemmings – who died in October – he may be able to score ahead of another emotional trip to Aintree for the National on April 9.
At Kelso WINDSOR AVENUE can also enhance his Aintree credentials with victory in the Listed bet365 Premier Chase (GBB Race) (2.40pm).
Brian Ellison’s 10-year-old hasn’t always been the most consistent performer but landed a fine victory in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster having also been second at Bangor earlier in the season.
He faces possibly a stiffer task here against another who holds an entry at Aintree, Itchy Feet, and Kim Bailey’s progressive Espoir De Romay. But having won so well last time he may be able to go in again ahead of a spring trip to Merseyside.
Also at Kelso stable-mate CORMIER can win the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race) (3.15pm).
The six-year-old won a couple of times on the Flat last year and grabbed a first handicap success over hurdles at Cheltenham in January. Even with a 4lb rise in the handicap he can get the better of the likes of Metier and former Grade One star Buveur D’Air to score.
Dan Skelton’s SHOLOKJACK is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles so far and he can bring up a hat-trick in the Grade Two bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.35pm).
Skelton may double up with WILDE ABOUT OSCAR – who is now down to 5lb below his last winning mark – and can take advantage in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.05pm).
Others who can win in Scotland are also from McCain’s Cheshire stable in HEARTBREAK KID and THE BIG JETAWAY in the bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.43pm) and the bet365 Handicap Chase (Go North One Man Series Qualifier) (4.25pm) respectively.
Back on Town Moor the Skelton-trained GET A TONIC can win the Listed Virgin Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.20pm).
The six-year-old has won two, finished runner-up twice and been third on his five starts over hurdles and he can keep up that good form with a first Listed success.
Henry Oliver’s course winner THE BIG BITE can go one better than his decent second here in January in the Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.55pm).
Neil Mulholland’s MONGOL EMPEROR can also score in the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier) (1.45pm) having been fourth on his seasonal return at Fontwell last month.
Others who may score on Town Moor are the Gary Moore-trained IMPHAL in the Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (4.05pm); another McCain runner SILVER FLYER in the Virgin Bet Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (4.40pm)and the Jonjo O’Neill newcomer KENTANDOVER in the Virgin Bet Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (5.15pm).
At Newbury there are few Grand National entrants in action but one who isn’t entered at Aintree, the Paul Nicholls-trained TAMAROC DU MATHAN can win the Grade Three BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (1.50pm).
The Nicholls’ yard have won this race nine times in the last 17 runnings and the seven-year-old may add to that haul this time.
Although he has been disappointing in two runs this season, he has some decent form and with the stable back among the winners recently he may get back to winning ways.
The Tom Gretton-trained KAUTO RIKO is entered in the Grand National but may not make the cut. But he can at least land a victory before in the BetVictor Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 3 Of The Veterans’ Chase Series) (1.15pm).
Others who may score in Berkshire are the Moore-trained MARK OF GOLD in the BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.27pm) and Chris Gordon’s COMMANCHE RED in the BetVictor Handicap Hurdle (3.02pm).
Wright Ones
DONCASTER
1.45pm Mongol Emperor
2.20pm Get A Tonic
2.55pm The Big Bite
3.30pm Cloth Cap (NAP)
4.05pm Imphal
4.40pm Silver Flyer
5.15pm Kentanddover
KELSO
1pm Lightening Company
1.32pm Sholokjack
2.05pm Wilde About Oscar
2.40pm Windsor Avenue
3.15pm Cormier
3.43pm Heartbreak Kid
4.25pm The Big Jetaway
NEWBURY
1.15pm Kauto Riko
1.50pm Tamaroc Du Mathan
2.27pm Mark Of Gold
3.02pm Black Poppy
3.37pm Commanche Red
4.12pm Striking A Pose
4.47pm Captain Destiny
LINGFIELD
12.49pm Reticent
1.24pm Hammy End
1.59pm Sir Joseph Swan
2.34pm Red Flyer
3.09pm Moveonup
3.50pm One Night Stand
4.19pm El Caballo
4.54pm Aljaryaal
SOUTHWELL
5pm Magical Mile
5.30pm Red Kite
6pm Muhalhel
6.30pm Tiber Flow
7pm Man Of Riddles
7.30pm Recall The Show
8pm Flaming Dawn
8.30pm Tiger Jet
SUNDAY'S NAP: The Paddy Pie (3.13pm Sedgefield)
Bierkeller hosts ninth annual Gingearmy Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening
The Bierkeller in Liverpool ONE will host the ninth annual Gingearmy Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening, sponsored by Starsports – The Gentleman’s Bookmaker – next Wednesday (March 9).
Hosted by John Neild Jnr, of the Gingearmy who have owned a number of National Hunt horses, doors will open at 6pm for a 7.30pm start.
The panel, who will discuss the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, includes Luke Tarr (Star Sports Betting Guru, Tom Bellamy (jockey), Willy Twiston-Davies (former jockey) and Carl Llewellyn (ex-Festival and Grand National-winning jockey) with special guest – dual Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies – also in attendance, plus there will be phone interviews with current top jockeys Sam Twiston Davies and Derek O’Connor.
For more details and tickets, priced at £12.50, visit www.gingearmy.co.uk. Food is available from 6pm with a 2am bar. All proceeds in aid of Stamp Out Suicide.
There is a £25 free matched bet for all attendees and price boosts on the night from Starsports.
To open an account with Star Sports apply online at starsports.bet or call 08000 521 321. Download the App before the night. Search star sports in the App Store or starsportsbet on Google Play.
