There are at least three runners at Haydock tomorrow hoping to win the William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (3.15 p.m.) because victory would mean they have a much better chance of getting into the Randox Grand National on April 11.

I am sweet on the chances of trainer Jamie Snowden’s LA CONQUIERE

I am sweet on the chances of trainer Jamie Snowden’s LA CONQUIERE

That’s because the weights for the big Aintree spectacular will be announced this coming week and the handicapper can assess all the runners on their performances up to and including tomorrow. An official rating of around 145 will almost certainly be needed in order to get into the 34-strong field.

Deafening Silence and Myretown are at the head of the market for the three-and-a-half mile contest tomorrow, which is worth nearly £57,000 to winning connections. Both horses need to increase their official ratings from 142 and 133 respectively.

However, I would rather back the third horse hoping for a Grand National run, MONBEG GENIUS. The ten-year-old gelding found himself in a similar position a year ago, only to win a Uttoxeter handicap, thereby raising his rating enough – from 142 to 147 – to get a run at Aintree last April.

Monbeg Genius, now ten years old, is back down to a mark of 142 once again and it would be a case of déjà vu if he wins tomorrow. He is not the most reliable horse on the planet but there was a lot to like about his last run when fifth in the Coral Welsh Grand National, beaten 11 and a half lengths on ground that was far too fast for him (officially “good to soft” but in reality much quicker).

Tomorrow’s likely soft ground will suit him better and with the O’Neill family – trainers Jonjo and A.J. and jockey Jonjo Jnr – in good form, Monbeg Genius definitely has the ability to win this race if running up to his best form. Back him 1 point each way at 12-1 with bet365, paying four places.

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Apart........

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