Race of the Day / Timeform / 05 February 2012 /

Timeform take a look at the runners in the stamina-sapping Grand National Trial at Punchestown....

Start Me Up scored at third attempt over fences in 3m Navan maiden in December, beating Berties Dream (winner since) a head. Very good third to progressive Seabass in a handicap at Limerick since.

Up The Beat showed ability in a bumper and over hurdles, but already looks better in this sphere, easily beating Marble House (winner since) in a 21f Fairyhouse maiden last time. Open to improvement.

Tinakellylad is a mudlark who isn't the most consistent but ran as well as he's ever done when second at Cork (2½m) early last month. No show at Gowran since, however, and best to look elsewhere.

Leggy Lad has improved over fences this season, landing a Sligo maiden and handicap at Down Royal. Beaten a long way at Navan last time, though, and currently 9 lb above his last winning mark.

Smoking Aces appreciated searching stamina test in first-time blinkers when scoring over 29f at Fairyhouse in December. Made mistakes when well held at Leopardstown (3m) since, but may well bounce back here.

Florida Express has been restricted to just 6 runs since winning a listed chase at Cork in April 2010, and well below par so far this term, often making mistakes.

In Great Form is living up to his name at present, revelling in testing conditions at Fairyhouse last twice, scoring over 21f/25f. Up 11 lb for latest win but no surprise to see him in the mix if stamina holds out.

Lurgan is a prominently-ridden sort who landed a 3m maiden chase at Thurles almost 2 years ago, but has largely struggled in handicaps since, tried in blinkers latest (dispensed with here).

Streets of Gold was the Cork National winner last season, but has failed to reproduce form anywhere near akin to that in limited starts since, and others make more appeal.

Hidden Crack capitalised on a handy hurdles mark when scoring at Limerick December, and solid effort back over fences at Cork 4 days later. Effort at Gowran since was laboured but by no means a forlorn hope.

Marble House showed poor form over hurdles, but has stepped up markedly since switched to fences, runner-up at Clonmel and Fairyhouse (beaten 11 lengths by Up The Beat), prior to getting off the mark at Tramore (21f).

Portrait King has yet to win under Rules, but likely to do so before long judged on latest effort, finishing a length second to Smoking Aces (1 lb worse off) at Fairyhouse (29f), with a yawning gap back to the third.

Droim Toll is a hold-up chaser who is difficult to catch right. Was still in touch when exiting 3 out in 29f handicap won by Smoking Aces at Fairyhouse in December, but well held both starts since.

Inoma James has been hard to catch right since winning over C&D in January 2010. Well behind Smoking Aces at Fairyhouse on penultimate start, but latest effort at Limerick offered some encouragement.

Miss Pepperpot has been better than ever of late, landing handicap chases at Naas and Thurles in space of 5 days in November. Good 6½ lengths second to Drive On Jim (7 lb worse off now) over 3m here last time.

Drive on Jim enjoyed purple patch around the turn of the year last term, and better than ever in first-time cheekpieces when beating Miss Pepperpot 6½ lengths here (3m) last month. Respected despite 7 lb rise.

Dr Doocey is a four-time point winner and made just about all in mares hunter at Cork in April 2010. Little encouragement since, though, and long way out of the handicap here.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Smoking Aces
2. Up The Beat
3. Drive On Jim

Timeform Verdict: Start Me Up and Up The Beat are appealing given that they are unexposed over fences, particularly the latter. Along with last-time-out winners In Great Form and Drive On Jim they will be dangerous if staying this trip. However, none will relish this stamina-sapping test more than Smoking Aces who is taken to bounce back from a below-par display at Leopardstown last time.

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