Gavin Cromwell: Only By Night leaning towards Arkle clash with Majborough

William Hill ambassador offers updates on some of his notable Cheltenham runners and previews this weekend’s Grand National trials.

Only By Night leaning towards Arkle bid

The unfortunate news of Sir Gino’s injury has definitely given us food for thought with Only By Night holding an entry in the Arkle. She jumps really well, but Majborough is a very good, talented horse.

That said, we’re swaying towards running her in the Arkle instead of the Mares’ Chase now as it stands.

Bet on Only By Night for the Arkle Trophy or Mares’ Chase with our Non Runner Money Back Markets

We do still have other entries in the Mares’ Chase, including Bioluminescence. At the moment it’s all systems go for her to go to Cheltenham – hopefully the ground will be soft enough for her.

Bet on Bioluminescence for the Mares’ Chase with our Non Runner Money Back Markets

It’s all systems go for Total Look heading to the Fred Winter as well. His jumping will need to improve plenty as that’s what cost him on his last two runs and Punchestown and Cheltenham.

Bet on Total Look for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle with our Non Runner Money Back markets

Grand National entries and trialists

I think Inothewayurthinkin’s mark of 160 is fair as it’s the same as his Irish mark. Compare him to a horse like Stumptown – who is only three pounds lower – and they’re not the same class of horse. That said, you don’t know how they’re going to take to the fences so there’s a lot of factors.

We still have to decide whether he’ll run, he’ll also have entries in the Irish National and the Aintree Bowl. We haven’t made a final decision yet.

Stumptown is eight pounds higher than his Irish mark but I suppose we can’t be too surprised about that after he won well in the Cross Country at Cheltenham the last day.

Looking at this weekend’s Grand National trials, we have Yeah Man going to Haydock (3.15pm) on Saturday. We’d prefer if there was a little more ease in the ground having won this race last year in completely different conditions on heavy ground. The trip will certainly suit though, and he’s in good form at home.

With him being unlikely to get into the Grand National this looks a great opportunity to land a great pot and it’s a race we’d love to win again. We’ll see what happens going forward, but he could potentially be one for the Irish National.

We have two runners in the trial at Punchestown on Sunday (3.10pm), with Velvet Elvis at the top of the weights. He’ll enjoy going right handed with some rain forecast, and the more that comes the better. He ran a brilliant race in the Thyestes and a similar performance here would have him in the mix.

Ask Anything also runs here. He doesn’t have an entry for Aintree but could have an Irish National entry. His jumping will need to improve and he’s had no luck this season. He ran well back over hurdles so we’re really hoping for a clear round of jumping here.

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