Bowen’s Tottie can follow up his Grand Sefton victory

Saturday

Mac Tottie took a liking to the Grand National fences when lifting the Grand Sefton at Aintree last month and could follow up at the same course in the Unibet Becher Handicap Chase (2.40) on Saturday.

Successful at Market Rasen and Newbury last season, he was a well beaten last of four on his Fontwell return but took his form and speed rating to a new level at Liverpool.

His trainer Peter Bowan knows a thing or two about what’s needed to succeed over the National obstacles and is hopeful the eight-year-old can become a Grand National contender.

His recent course victory was over a trip short of his best and Saturday’s longer distance should be in his favour.

Allaho may upset more fancied rivals in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.25) at Sandown.

Winner of the Ryanair at Cheltenham in March, Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old set a relentless gallop and his punishing fractions had his rivals at full stretch and comparatively speaking, four furlongs from home he was practically a furlong ahead of The Shunter who won the Paddy Power Plate over course and distance just over an hour later.

Not surprisingly, the pace slackened in the closing stages but his toiling rivals were left chasing shadows as he scored by a dozen lengths.

Subsequently beaten by stablemate Chacun Pour Soi in the Champion Chase over two miles at Punchestown in April, he has around five lengths to find with him, but the clock suggests he may prove equal to the task.

If not travelling over then Greaneteen could be the main beneficiary. Fourth behind Put The Kettle On in a moderately paced Queen Mother Champion Chase, Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old merited a lifetime-best rating when bagging the Celebration Chase over Saturday’s course and distance in April, claiming some notable scalps in the process.

His recent Exeter run will have blown away the cobwebs and a bold show is anticipated.

Friday

Get A Tonic can give a good

account of herself in the Ballymore Winter Novices Hurdle (2.25) at Sandown.

A winner between the flags in Ireland, she made an encouraging hurdling debut at Uttoxeter in October when chasing home Lady Adare.

Dan Skelton’s improving filly stepped up on that effort when decisively going one better at Leicester 18 days ago in comparatively the quickest time on all-hurdle card and she will not be out of place in this Listed contest.

Early Du Lemo can make a successful seasonal return in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (3.00). Runner-up in this corresponding race last season when returning from a near two year layoff, Gary Moore’s eight-year-old then suffered a crashing fall at Ascot and jumped indifferently when fourth behind Ibleo over Friday’s trip and track in January. He lost a shoe and faded rapidly behind Belargus here the following month but could bounce back on Friday.

Sunday

Funambule Sivola has made giant strides in the past 12 months and has time on his side in Sunday’s Fitzdares Peterborough Chase (1.52) at Huntingdon.

Winner of a Grade 4 novices handicap chase off a mark of 112 just over a year ago, Venetia Williams’ progressive six-year-old added to his tally at Newbury, Chepstow and Ascot and finished his excellent campaign with a creditable second to the brilliant Shiskin in a strongly run race at Aintree in April.

Consequently he is now rated 156 and he looks equipped to cope with the topdrawer chasers.

Fast and fluent at his fences, he is admirably game and those two attributes will stand him in good stead for the challenges ahead.

Minella Trump has won all seven starts this term and can stretch his winning sequence to eight in the Fitzdares Cotswold Club Is Coming Soon Novices Chase (12.47).

Donald McCain’s sevenyear-old set the ball rolling in a handicap hurdle at Perth in May August and followed up over fences three times twice at the same track.

Further wins at Sedgefield, Sandown and Catterick have extended his winning spree and an eighth straight success awaits. He has only been competing in small fields, but he earned a personal best last time and may not have finished winning yet.