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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Chris Wright

Horse Power: Le Milos to put down Grand National marker in the Premier Chase at Kelso

LE MILOS Grand National National (Event) Aintree (Facility) Scotland Doncaster (Geopolitical Entity) Virgin Bet

LE MILOS can grab victory in the bet365 Premier Chase (GBB Race) (3pm) at Kelso on Saturday afternoon and put down a marker for his Randox Grand National bid.

The Listed feature in Scotland has, in the past, been used as a stepping to the world’s greatest steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse and Le Milos and the Emmet Mullins-trained The Shunter are two of the field who are set to line-up at Kelso and in the Grand National on April 15. Donald McCain's Ballabriggs was second in the Premier Chase before his Grand National win at Aintree in 2011. While 2013 National hero Auroras Encore, was fifth in Scotland before his success.

Skelton's Le Milos will be looking for similar success at Aintree, but first he can bring up a hat-trick of victories in the Premier Chase. The eight-year-old has won both of his starts since switching from the Tim Vaughan stable to the Skeltons in October last year. He opened his account in a three-mile handicap chase at Bangor in November, scoring by nearly five lengths. Le Milos built on that promise with an even better victory in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase – formerly the Hennessy Gold Cup – at Newbury at the end of that month.

He looks a very progressive young chaser, who jumps and stays very well. Le Milos should be able to seal another victory and will head to the Grand National as one of the leading British hopes of ending the recent Irish domination of the great race.

At Doncaster the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.15pm) has also been used as a stepping to the Grand National, fitting in ideally being six weeks before the big event. Only Philip Hobbs’ Sporting John is among the entries also engaged at Aintree but a potential future National contender COOPER'S CROSS can take the 3m1f contest.

the Stuart Coltherd-trained Cooper’s Cross impressed when winning the Sky Bet Chase over three miles at Doncaster at the end of January. And stepped up in trip back on Town Moor, the eight-year-old can land a fourth win over fences.

Back at Kelso Fergal O’Brien’s ACCIDENTAL AGENT can land another victory in the Grade Two bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.25pm).

The nine-year-old has won four of his five starts over hurdles this season and having taken the Grade Two Persion War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow in October, he can return from a break with a victory in a similar contest at Kelso.

Donald McCain’s COLLINGHAM won the Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh last month and can follow up with another success in the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race) (1.50pm).

The Nicky Richards-trained NELLS SON won at this meeting 12 months ago and can go in again in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3pm).

The eight-year-old has had wind surgery since finishing a disappointing sixth at Cheltenham in January. He is better than that and up in trip to 2m4f from two miles, he can resume winning ways.

Others who can win at Kelso are Skelton’s SHOLOKJACK in the opener, the bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (1.15pm); the Dr Richard Newland-trained PLANET LEGEND in the bet365 Juvenile Hurdle (Go North Grey Bomber Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (4.10pm); and WHODINI, from the Cheshire stable of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, in the finale, the bet365 Handicap Chase (Go North One Man Series Qualifier) (4.45pm).

Back at Doncaster McCain’s MACKENBURG – a winner over both course and distance in the past – may be able to bounce back to form to win the Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (1.30pm). While other potential scorers on Town Moor are Nigel Twiston-Davies’ SERGEANT WILSON in the Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier) (2.05pm); two other Skelton-trained runners, SHE'S A SAINT, in the Listed Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.40pm) and SNIPE in the Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.50pm); and McCain’s MALPAS in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Hurdle (Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier) (4.25pm).

At Newbury Venetia Williams’ GEMIRANDE can win the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.45pm). The seven-year-old has been out of the first three in seven chase starts, winning at Southwell and Wetherby in two of his last three starts. The progressive gelding can add another succes in this 2m4f contest.

Jonjo O’Neill’s LOCK'S CORNER couldn’t bring up a hat-trick of victories at Huntingdon, when fifth in January. But the JP McManus-owned nine-year-old can bounce back with victory in the BetVictor Non-Runner-No-Bet At Cheltenham Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle (2.10pm).

Others who can score at the Berkshire track are Emma Lavelle’s course and distance winner DE RASHER COUNTER in the Bet In-Running On Racing At BetVictor Veterans’ Handicap Chase (1.40pm); the McCain-trained FRUIT N NUT in the Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle (3.25pm); and PONCHO, from the Gary Moore stable, in the Download The BetVictor App Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (4pm).