There are two bets over the National fences to come, but before that we've an unexposed hurdler to make the most of. There could admittedly have been easier races chosen for Upswing's next assignment than today's 13:20, though the overriding impression from his Cheltenham run last time was that further handicaps are bound to come his way. He'd been firmly on the upgrade prior to that run, in a race won by Thomas Crapper which has already thrown up a couple of winners, while there's reason to mark him up above a sixth-placed finish there. Upswing was checked in his run at a vital stage, taking away any chance he had of winning what was clearly a competitive race. He can now makes amends, chiefly at the expense of Whisper who was third at Cheltenham that day.
As promised, it's the National course from here on, starting with the Becher Chase at 14:05. Favourite is On His Own, who gets in from a lower mark than he's carried in either of the last two Nationals, but his coming to grief on both occasions makes him vulnerable enough at current prices. His stablemate Vesper Bell is among the more interesting alternatives, but the best bet of all is probably an each-way shot on Bennys Mist. He's one for whom bare form figures do an injustice: a fall at Newbury in March came in a strong race he looked set to challenge strongly in, while he jumped fine and just seemed over the top when pulling up in the Topham and shaped much better than the result when sixth at Stratford last time. That last run very much had the look of a sighter, but Bennys Mist was a threat before lack of sharpness told. Now back over a suitable trip and still with unfinished business from a handicapping point of view, Bennys Mist is a solid each-way option at around the 17.016/1 mark.
In the Grand Sefton (15:15), last year's runner-up Gansey is back for another go off a 4 lb lower mark and has probably been geared up for this race specifically. However, he's something of a law unto himself and preference is for another who has been there and done it over C&D. It's Dunowen Point, fourth in last year's Topham. He took to the National fences in rare style, attacking them under a forceful ride and still firmly in the reckoning at the elbow before he tired. That race was won by Triolo d'Alene with Walkon second, so the form is evidently sound and Dunowen Point here tackles a slightly lesser race from the same mark. He may need the run, but his record fresh does enough to alleviate those fears.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Upswing in the 13:20 Sandown
Back Bennys Mist win and place in the 14:05 Aintree
Back Dunowen Point in the 15:15 Aintree
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