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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Chris Wright

Horse Power: Good Boy Bobby can book Grand National place with win at Kempton

Kempton Grand National National (Event) Aintree (Facility) Eclair Surf

GOOD BOY BOBBY can enhance his Randox Grand National credentials with victory in the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.37pm) at Kempton Park on Saturday afternoon.

While up in the north east another who holds an entry in the Aintree showpiece, ECLAIR SURF, can land the marathon slog that is the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.15pm)

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Good Boy Bobby has the National at Aintree Racecourse in seven weeks as his main aim – and he can land the Grade Three feature at Kempton to put down a marker.

The nine-year-old has been in fine form this season, winning twice at Wetherby – including most recently in the Rowland Meyrick Chase on Boxing Day.

He was also a good second to Aye Right, beaten just a head in the Listed Rehearsal Handicap Chase at Newcastle, in between his two Wetherby wins.

Good Boy Bobby is in such good form, despite carrying top weights of 11st10lb at Kempton, he can get the better of Evan Williams’ Annsam and the Christian Willams-trained Cap Du Nord.

He may be shouldering top weight here, but has a nice lowish weight of 10st7lb for the National itself.

Good Boy Bobby looks progressive enough to at least run a big race in the world’s greatest steeplechase and should be able to head to Merseyside on April 9 on the back of another victory.

KNIGHT SALUTE can remain unbeaten over obstacles with a fifth straight win in the Grade Two Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.50pm) – and book his ticket to next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Milton’s Harris’ four-year-old beat Porticello by three-quarters-of-a-length in the Grade Two Summit Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster in December. That rival franked the form with a fine victory at Haydock Park last weekend.

Knight Salute needs to improve to get the better of talented Irish raiders Vauban and Pied Piper in next month’s Triumph Hurdle, but can at least stay on the road to a clash with them with another win.

Merseyside-born trainer Donald McCain’s MINELLA DRAMA can take the Grade Two Coral Pendil Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (2.25pm).

The seven-year-old landed a second win from four chase starts in the Grade Two Patrick Coyne Memorial Altcar Novices’ Chase at Haydock last month.

He was impressive that day and can continue his progress with another success at Kempton.

Gary Moore’s improving five-year-old SHALLWEHAVEONEMORE can follow up his recent win at Sandown with another victory in the Grade Two Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (3pm).

Others who may score at Kempton are the Nicky Henderson-trained PATROCLUS in the Coral “Fail-To-Finish” Free Bets Handicap Chase (Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series Qualifier) (1.15pm); Pam Sly’s HAAFAPIECE in the Play Coral “Racing-Super-Series” For Free Handicap Hurdle (4.10pm); and newcomer SPAGO – from the Paul Nicholls’ stable – in the finale, the Coral Committed To Safer Gambling Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (4.45pm).

At Newcastle Emma Lavelle’s Eclair Surf can follow-up his win in the Classic Chase at Warwick last month with another in the gruelling Eider (3.15pm).

The eight-year-old – who also holds an entry in the Grand National but is not certain to make the cut currently at 66th on the list – looks a progressive staying chaser.

His win in the 3m5f Classic Chase last month was particularly impressive, scoring by 13 lengths.

He steps up again to this marathon 4m1f contest and there is plenty of hope that it will bring about even more improvement.

Other Grand National entrants Achille and Domaine De L’Isle also have chances but despite carrying 11st11lb Eclair Surf can continue on an upward curve by landing another top staying handicap prize.

It could be a profitable afternoon for Cheshire-based trainer McCain up in the north east with several horses in with a big chance of victory.

Course and distance winner CENOTICE is one of them in the Vertem – Very Different Stockbrokers Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.10pm).

Others from Bankhouse stable who can also win are BARRICHELLO – bidding for a fourth success of the season over hurdles – in the opener, the Break From The Field With Vertem Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.35pm); MINELLA PLUS in the Break From The Herd With Vertem Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.50pm); and COURT JURADO in the Vertem Investing For The Future Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Qual) (5pm).

The Michael Scudamore-trained DO YOUR JOB may make it third time lucky, after two seconds at Kempton and Doncaster, in the Vertem-Leading The Field Handicap Chase (4.25pm).

At Chepstow course and distance winner – the Dan Skelton-trained ECLAIR D'AINAY – can go in again in the in the Pertemps Network Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.53pm).

Kim Bailey’s LADY OF THE NIGHT – second at Wetherby last month – can go one better in the Pertemps Network Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (1.43pm).

Others who may score at the South Wales track are PORT OR STARBOARD in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.08pm) and the Evan Williams-trained veteran PRIME VENTURE in the Pertemps Network We’ve Got Your Next Job Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.18pm).