TimeformBlog

Timeform handicapper Gregg Taylor reflects on a brace of races from the weekend that are likely to have an impact on both the Grand National and the Scottish equivalent in the weeks ahead...

An overly-strong pace casts some doubt over the result of this year's Grimthorpe at Doncaster, with the presence of the patiently-ridden outsider Lothian Falcon (c126) in a close second underling that those held up were favoured. However, Always Right (c136p) has an excellent strike rate under rules and continued his progression in a much more competitive race following a 12 lb rise for last month's Kelso triumph. Admittedly, he was suited by the strong pace under a typically patient ride, but he jumped well on the whole and impressed with how quickly he asserted before seeming to idle after the last. The Scottish National was spoken up afterwards as an end-of-season target, though the longer trip would be a slight concern.

The runner-up was racing from 9 lb out of the weights but, equipped with first-time cheekpieces, returned to the sort of level that saw him win the Rowland Meyrick in 2007/8.

Character Building (c139) hasn't fired recently but the Grand National is clearly his prime target and he shaped better with that in mind, back to jumping soundly. Killyglen (c126+) has stamina doubts ahead of a crack at the Aintree showpiece. However, he at least shaped as if back in much better heart, doing too much in front and simply having no more left after hitting the penultimate fence.

One of the current market leaders for the Grand National was also in action in the Premier Chase at Kelso. Ballabriggs (c154) came unstuck on the day against the Nicky Richards-trained Skippers Brig (c144), however ante-post backers of the ten-year-old shouldn't feel too downbeat after his one-and-three-quarter length defeat.

Skippers Brig still hasn't had a great deal of racing for one of his age and will be of some interest returned to valuable staying handicaps now, especially considering a greater test of stamina should play to his strengths more. He has an entry in the three-mile Grade 3 handicap on the opening day of the Festival, incidentally.

Ballabriggs' whole season has been geared towards Aintree and he shaped better for that target than being turned over at short odds implies, again jumping most fluently and looking the likely winner for a long way before Skippers Brig, who had been stoked up from much further out, caught him close home.

Chief Dan George (c146) was refitted with cheekpieces and ran a few pounds below his best as he plodded on to reclaim third late in the day.

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