The Coolfun Ltd Grimthorpe Chase is a recognised Grand National trial and four of the seven runners held National entries, including two of the market leaders, Mr Pointiment and Cloudy Lane.
In the end the two principles met very differing fortunes.
The Paul Nicholls trained Mr Pointment set off in his usual front running manner, leading until the 15th when he just faded out of contention as ifsomething was amiss.
Cloudy Lane, meanwhile, was more than content to track the leaders. Taking the lead three out, he was running on at the end for a comtatable 7 length victory, from the fast finishing Ungaro, who had been more than content to sit at the back for most of the race.
Today Mr Pointment was giving 3lbs to Cloudy Lane in the National he is giving nine.
On todays showing there must now be a big question mark hanging over the Nicholls runner. Some bookmakers now make him a 25/1 shot for the National, out from 12's.
The afternoon hail started well for Nicholls when Nodtorms Paula ran out the convincing 13 length winner of the opening novice hurdle. The Nicholls horse juit edged out Osolomio for favouritism. Osolomio, a recent Chepstow winner, looked as though he would maKe all until Nodforms Paula came alongside at the second last and easily ran on for a comfortable victory. The runner up finished a distance clear of the remainder of the field and lootks sure to be a visitor to the winners enclosure again.
The three mile handicap hurdle was a muddling affair. With most of the field running in a heap for most of therace. One horse always in the van was the Keith Reveley trained Star Beat. However even he looked beaten when challenged three out by the Sue Smith trained Leac An Scail, who two out looked the winner. However Star Beat does not seem to know when he is beat and he rallied under a strong ride from 5lb Claimer James Reveley to win by a length.
The State of Dance Handicap Chase had only 5 runners but was, in effect, a two hace race from start to finish In this race Sue Smith gained some recompence as her Ela Re fought back, having been headed by favourite Schintien Otto four out. Regaining the lead before the last, the 5/2 secend favourite took the honours by 5 lengths.
The novices handicap hurdle had 17 runners and was an open affair on paper, however 25/1 outsider Little Bob had net read the script and made a winning challenge three out. Favourite, Just A Thought was never really in the race at all.
The Beginners Chase turned Into something of a farce when the low sun resulted in the fences in the home straight being omitted for safety reasons. This resulted in 8 of the 18 jumps being by- passed. This looked to be favouring Contact Dancer, a dour stayer on the flat and he looked set to be a pillar to post winner. However on what turned out to be a 5 1/2 furlong run in, the favourite In Accord wore him down and took the race.