The presence of Deano's Beeno at the top of the handicap ensures that no fewer than half of the field have to race from out of the weights proper robbing the race, to a large extent, of its usual competitive nature. Paris Pike, who was sent off at 10/1 for last year's Grand National but who got no further than the first fence, was again a faller in Doncaster's Great Yorkshire Chase last month. Hopefully, he will put in a clear round today en-route to another crack at the Aintree marathon but is hardly a betting proposition. The enigmatic Robbo seems plenty high enough in the weights now, while stable companion Sad Mad Bad looks to be on the downgrade. The novice Just Maybe had a hard race at the beginning of the month at Uttoxeter and may find this coming too soon, especially off his new mark and more solid claims are held by Kit Smartie, who lost no caste in defeat behind the improving Hours at Cheltenham last time. Lincolnshire National winner Nativetrial is held in high regard by Charlie Mann and it would be no surprise to see him run well from out of the handicap but for the selection we return to the top of the weights and Deano's Beeno. Martin Pipe's gelding has only had one start over fences, when winning a novice chase at Newbury in February 2000, and can race off a much lower mark over the larger obstacles than his current hurdling rating as a result. In as good form as ever over timber this term, the 11-year-old looks worth chancing on a return to chasing off a mark of 140, a mark more than a stone lower than his current hurdles rating.
