Nigel Twiston-Davies’ William Hill Blog: Grand National hopeful is Undersupervision

While we’ve had a quiet week thanks to the wet weather and abandonments, we’ve a whole host of runners to look forward to this weekend at Aintree, Chepstow, Sandown and Huntingdon. There should be a few among them with decent chances, so I hope they will go out there and prove themselves.

Saturday, Aintree

In the first race at Aintree, the 2m1f novices’ hurdle (11.10am), I’m running two young horses; Gower Prince and Norman Fletcher. The former did himself a disservice in his hurdles debut in October by running far too freely, but he still managed to finish fifth of nine, so I would like to see him settle down and improve here. Norman Fletcher, on the other hand, won his maiden hurdle at Market Rasen three weeks ago and – provided it doesn’t get any softer, as he won’t like that – he should go nicely again.

Then there’s Zambella in the Listed mares’ chase (12.55pm). She’s been amazing, having won so many nice races for us already. She’s eight years old now, and returns for another season here. She’s really fit and ready to run, so we’re expecting good work from her as usual. She has to give a little weight away to Burrows Diamond, La Renommee and Sacre Coeur, but this should be well within reach for her.

Undersupervision goes in the Becher Handicap Chase (2.05pm). He pleased us last time out when he placed at Cheltenham three weeks ago, so arrives here in good form. He’s a very good jumper and, while we’ll wait to see how he goes over the Aintree fences first, we’re hoping that he will be our Grand National horse this season. He’s a couple of pounds out the handicap here and it’s a competitive race, but we’re really looking forward to running him.

Saturday, Chepstow

First up at Chepstow are The Newest One and Easy On Me in the 2m7½f novices’ hurdle (12.27pm). The Newest One is well-raced now and has always been pretty consistent. Having come second by just a length on his reappearance, I think we can be confident of another good show from him, but he doesn’t want the ground too soft. Easy On Me is a young, little-exposed mare who’s just going for a run round and to build on her last race.

Following is Ballycamus in the 2m3½f handicap chase (1.02pm). He’s a Point-to-Point and hurdle winner, but goes over fences for the first time here having placed on both his starts over hurdles earlier this season. He’s been jumping nicely at home, will like the soft ground and should have no reason not to go well.

Saturday, Sandown

Two horses are off to Sandown on Saturday. The first of which is Equinus in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle (12.40pm). He’s in good form, having won at Aintree in October and has been given a full month off since his last run at Newbury. He’s given seven pounds by rider James Turner, who rode a winner for me last week, and I’m hopeful of a big run from him. He does have a lot to prove on ratings, with the likes of Chantry House in the race, but we haven’t seen him at his best for some time now and he gives us a lot of weight here.

Beauport is next in the 3m4½f London National (3.35pm). He’s favourite and rightly so in this company. He’s top weight, but will like the soft ground and the long distance, so I’m rather optimistic. He’s won at Sandown before and should have no excuses, so I hope he lives up to expectations.

Sunday, Huntingdon

A quieter day at Huntingdon with two runners. We start with Awesome Foursome in the 2m4½f Conditional Jockeys’ handicap hurdle (11.55pm). While he’s possibly not the best horse in the race, it’s not a particularly strong field and – especially given eight pounds by his rider – he ought to be competitive.

The last runner of the weekend is Mr Mackay in the two-mile handicap hurdle (2.25pm). This is his second start in a handicap, and he goes off the same mark as last time, when he ran well for fourth of 17. He won his last start in Huntingdon in October so – if reproducing that run over this shorter distance – he should go nicely.