Grand National Trial Contenders

A quick look at today's Grand National Trial contenders:

Silver By Nature is a front runner who improved in leaps and bounds last term, taking this corresponding race from a mark of 143. He put in a promising effort in the Welsh National last month and a bold bid is on the cards here.

Maidson du Berlais is without a win since taking the Aintree Bowl in 2009, often looking laboured. He is back in handicap off his lowest mark for a while, but still makes little appeal at present.

Carruthers is a splendidly genuine and enthusiastic front runner who loves the mud. He shaped encouragingly in the Hennessy and has been dropped 8 lb in the meantime. He could go well.

King Fontaine is progressing well, winning his last four starts, the last two in ready fashion here over 3m. He still makes the odd mistake and needs to improve again off his new mark up in trip, but can’t be dismissed out of hand.

West End Rocker has improved in line with many from yjr yard this season, winning good handicaps at Newbury and Warwick. His jumping is not always foot perfect but it would be no surprise to see him give another good account off his new mark.

Mobaasher is a dual chase winner who has been in good heart over hurdles this season, winning a 25f handicap at Warwick. He was fourth to Grands Crus at Cheltenham last time and most interesting here off a lower chase mark.

Nicto de Beauchene has been much improved for his current yard, chasing home West End Rocker at Newbury before winning a heavy-ground handicap at Sandown by a wide margin. He is 14 lb higher here and another career best will be needed to prevail.

Le Beau Bai enjoyed an excellent season in 2009/10, finishing third to Silver By Nature in this off an 11 lb higher mark. He has not been so good this term, just fourth to West End Rocker at Warwick, and others come here in better form.

Ballyfitz is often let down by his jumping in big-field handicaps and has put up laboured efforts with cheekpieces on the last twice. Blinkers are fitted now and his record here is pretty good, but even then it’s still hard to see him winning.

Major Malarkey has been a real improver back over fences following a lengthy lay-off, winning handicaps at Chepstow and Newbury over 3m. He tackles a much better race now, but the longer trip will suit, and he must be of interest.

Sound Accord won twice over fences for David Arbuthnot in 2008/9. He has some potential from a handicapping point of view, but has another lengthy absence to overcome, and still has his stamina to prove.

Sarde is a progressive chaser who won handicaps at Market Rasen and Newbury in November. He has more on his plate in this contest, but won't mind the conditions, and will be making just his eighth start over fences.

Etxalar improved again when winning a 3¼m handicap chase at Carlisle in October. He has not been so good in two runs since, and the yard appear to hold better claims here with Silver By Nature.

Jaunty Journey is a front-running mudlark who stays all day. His jumping usually lets him down though, including back over hurdles last time, and he’s risky betting proposition in race of this nature. He wears cheekpieces for the first time today.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Mobaasher
2. Silver By Nature
3. West End Rocker

Timeform View: Mobaasher is in fine form at present and is fancied to take advantage of his leninent chase mark with conditions ideal. Last year's winner Silver By Nature makes plenty of appeal again, while the thriving pair West End Rocker and Major Malarkey shouldn't be overlooked either.