Blaklion, the 8-1 favourite for the Grand National in April after 105 entries for the race were published on Wednesday, is likely to prepare for Aintree in the Grand National Trial at Haydock in mid-February and bypass the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following month, according to Nigel Twiston-Davies, the nine-year-old’s trainer.
Twiston-Davies, the only current trainer to have won the National more than once, could also saddle Bristol De Mai, this season’s Betfair Chase winner, in the National as he attempts to add to victories with Earth Summit in 1998 and Bindaree four years later.
While Bristol De Mai ran disappointingly in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham last Saturday, Blaklion has been the clear favourite for Aintree since his easy nine-length win in the Becher Chase over the National fences in early December.
Blaklion’s latest handicap mark is 161, putting him within 8lb of Might Bite, the favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Haydock, however, is likely to be his only outing before Liverpool.
“The Gold Cup is looking doubtful,” Twiston-Davies said. “I had a talk with the owners and we’ll just head for the National I’d expect. We’re thinking we’ll go to the Grand National Trial at Haydock; that could be his next run.
“Bristol De Mai was disappointing and we don’t really know what we’re going to do with him yet. He’s entered [for the National] and he’s got lots of alternatives.
“I haven’t seen through all the entries so I don’t know what others are in there but they will all be running off roughly their handicap marks, I’m sure. I don’t think there will be much compression this year.”
There was controversy when the weights for last year’s National were published. Michael O’Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair and one of Ireland’s leading owners, immediately scratched three of his entries on what he claimed were “welfare grounds”. Phil Smith, the BHA’s senior handicapper, had given all three a higher rating for the National than their mark in Ireland.
Outlander, who had been given top weight of 11st 10lb, is the only one of the three to be entered this year and could again be allotted top weight if Smith adopts the same policy.
Outlander’s official mark in Ireland is 163, while the top-rated runner among the entries is Brian Ellison’s Definitly Red, the recent Cotswold Chase winner, on 167. Bristol De Mai has been dropped 2lb to 165 so, if the weights were to follow handicap marks, Blaklion would be allotted 11st 4lb when the weights are published on 13 February.
Chris Cook’s Thursday tips
Wincanton 1.20 Turbotim 1.50 San Pedro De Senam 2.25 Rosemary Russet (nb) 3.00 Captain Cattistock 3.35 Sirruh Du Lac 4.10 Unioniste 4.45 Hideaway Vic
Southwell 1.30 Something Lucky 2.05 Ignacio Zuloaga 2.40 Ray Purchase 3.15 Magic Pulse 3.50 Dose 4.25 Kody Ridge
Towcester 1.40 The Vocalist 2.15 Doc Carver 2.50 Black Narcissus 3.25 Dr Des 4.00 Norse Light 4.35 Cafe Au Lait
Kempton 5.55 Freebe Rocks 6.30 Princess De Lune 7.00 Mercers 7.30 Thaqaffa (nap) 8.00 Time To Reason 8.30 Western Way-
