Hi all,

As we edge closer to the Cheltenham Festival which is less than three weeks away there’s an in interesting mix of big race action this weekend. Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the Grand National weights. And I also take a look ahead to Saturday’s Coral Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton.

Yesterday’s selection Dock Road landed the each-way money and a small profit for those who got on at 8/1. In truth he was never really travelling and merely stayed on to finish second behind comfortable winner Stormy Flight.

Grand National Weights Unveiled

The Grand National weights were unveiled in the iconic St George’s Hall in Liverpool at 3pm on Tuesday. Now the weights have been published its time to get interested in the race.

The weights are headed by last year’s runner-up Any Second Now who is set to carry 8lb more this time around.

Noble Yeats is the ante post favourite even though last year’s winner is 19lb higher than when successful in 2022.  Next in with most firms is Corach Rambler. The Lucinda Russell trained 9-year-old has been a long term fancy of mine for the race, but I missed the bigger prices available.

Last weekend’s National Trial winners Quick Wave and Coko Beach have both been given interesting marks.

Quick Wave is just 4lb higher than when winning at Haydock last Saturday. I had expected her to get more so the handicapper has taken a bit of a chance with the mares rating.

Coko Beach is 9lb higher than when the Punchestown Grand National Trial. He’s a good jumper of a fence as he showed on Sunday which will hold him good stead.

William Hill are a stand out 33/1 No Runner No Bet (NRNB) about Quick Wave and 50/1 about Coko Beach. I would expect both to be shorter on the day if they line-up.

Of the rest Lord Lariat is 9lb higher than when winning last year’s Irish Grand National.

Looking ahead to the weekend

The ITV cameras are covering the best of the action from Kempton which includes two Grade 2 races. The Grade 2 Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (1:50) is the first of them. Followed 35 minutes later by the Coral Pendil Novices' Chase (2:25). The Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (3:40) completes the Graded action at the track.

The big betting race at Kempton is the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase (3:00).  With over £150,000 in guaranteed prize money, it’s also the most valuable race of the day in Britain.

At Newcastle its Eider Chase Day where the highlight is the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase (3:25). Ru over 4m 1 ½ f. One of the toughest and most stamina-sapping contests in the racing calendar  Last year’s renewal was won by the Christian Williams trained mare Win My Wings. It was a fantastic Saturday for the trainer who also landed the Coral Trophy. Williams has the Eider ante post favourite in Kitty’s Light.

Fans of the all-weather also get a look in on ITV with the broadcaster covering two races from Lingfield. The first of them is the BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes (1:30) followed by the Group 3 BetUK Winter Derby Stakes (2:05). Lord North runner-up in the race 12 months ago will bid to go one place better this year. He’s been installed the early bird 4/5 favourite which isn’t totally surprising as it doesn’t look the strongest of renewals and he’s got 12lb in hand of his nearest rival on official ratings.

There’s no sign of any substantial rain between now and Saturday at either Kempton or Newcastle so it will be interesting to see the field sizes for the weekend’s big races.

Kempton

3:00 – Coral Trophy Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

Eighteen were left in the race at Monday’s final confirmation stage and they include the last two winners of the race.

Frodon heads the weights, and the former Grade 1 winner can’t be discounted over C&D he’s won at in the past. Regular jockey Bryony Frost has been jocked up and good ground suits the 11-year-old.

In addition to Frodon trainer Paul Nicholls could saddle Saint Calvados. He can be keen in his races and he’ got to prove his stamina for 3m but a strongly run big field handicap could enable him to get some cover.

Annsam and last year’s winner and recent scorer Cap du Nord are vying for favouritism. The former wasn’t at his best when pulling up in the race 12 months ago. However, he jumped well when making all over C&D last month.

Cap Du Nord has a 5lb penalty to carry for Saturday’s Ascot success. He’s on a competitive mark provided this doesn’t come to quick.

Killer Kane took advantage of some leniency from the handicapper to gain a second C&D success 15-days ago. Good, good to soft ground suits the 8-year-old and even under 5lb penalty can go well.

We haven’t seen Our Power since he won a good ground handicap chase at Ascot in October. Now 5lb higher than at Ascot but he’s proven on good ground.

Clondaw Castle proved his stamina for 3m when winning the 2021 renewal. Not many starts since, just two disappointing runs last season. He shaped much better on his first start for 14 months when 16 length 2^nd of 6 to Pic d'Orhy in Grade 2 here (2m 4 ½ f) here last month. Another effective on a sound surface and he could go well if building on his last time out promise.

Wednesday selection:

I’m heading to Kempton for today’s selection.

Kempton

7:30 – A chance is taken that four time C&D winner Imperium can bounce back to winning ways. Continued his below par vein of form when only 4^th of 5 at Wolverhampton last month. Return to C&D is a positive but hopes are pinned in change to the first time blinkers having the desired effect.

Imperium – 5/1 @ Bet365.

I'm taking another Thursday off this week which means there won't be a column tomorrow. I will be back on Friday.

Good luck with your Wednesday bets.

John