Turf Topics: Iris De Balme will pose threat to Morgan Be

Now 10, Morgan Be appeared to have the race at his mercy before being reeled in by the fast finishing Merigo who reopposes in the four mile one furlong slog.

Pulled up in the Peter Marsh Chase in his last appearance, Middleham-based Walton is hoping for a bold showing – with her son-in-law Richie McGrath, one of the most respected riders in the country, in the saddle.

"It looks as though he'll have his conditions again and we're looking forward to it," said Walton whose plans have been frustrated by weeks of inclement weather,

"We were a bit disappointed with him at Haydock last time but Our Vic set a good pace and he was top-class over two and a half miles.

"They just took him off his feet a bit but we have freshened him up since then and taken him down to the beach a couple of times and he seems in good form.

"We were obviously narrowly beaten by Merigo last year and we're 1lb worse off with him, but this is a different race and our horse must have a good chance again."

Another notable entry is Iris De Balme, the 2008 Scottish National victor who was subsequently sidelined with a tendon injury before making a comeback over hurdles at Wetherby three weeks ago.

"It was very pleasing at Wetherby. I was surprised he was still in the race at the second last. He put in a good comeback," said trainer Sean Curran.

"He's come on a lot for it and I schooled him myself on Wednesday. He jumped grand over fences.

"He'll strip a lot fitter on Saturday. It's all systems go as long as it's on.

"This is more his trip and he won't mind the heavy ground either.

"If Newcastle doesn't go ahead there's the Grimthorpe at Doncaster on Saturday week. We'd go there if Newcastle's off."

Curran was delighted with the 10st 6lb allotted to Iris De Balme in the John Smith's Grand National and is hoping he makes the cut for the Aintree spectacular.

"It's a brilliant weight if we can get in. I think it will be a close call.

"It's the next scratching stage on Tuesday so we might have a better idea then," Curran continued.

"There's also the Scottish National again and I shall give him an entry in the bet365 Gold Cup next week."

MALCOLM Jefferson's According To Pete is to revert to hurdles for his next race in an attempt to rediscover winning ways.

The nine-year-old was a late withdrawal from Haydock's Blue Square Gold Cup last Saturday and he will now try to regain the winning thread over timber.

On his last start over the smaller obstacles in November 2008, he won over Haydock's "Fixed Brush" course, landing connections a bumper pay-out in the process.

He also finished fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup earlier this season.

"He's fine, it was nothing major that forced him to miss Haydock. That ground (heavy) wouldn't have suited him anyway," said the Malton trainer.

"He might go to Doncaster next week. He's just lost his confidence a bit over fences. He's jumping safe and not having a cut at them and in the better races he is getting found out."

KIEREN Fallon will have only his second ride in next month's Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival on the Noel Glynn-trained Old McDonald.

The six-times champion jockey rode Jonjo O'Neill's Refinement to finish fourth behind Missed That at the Cheltenham Festival in 2005 and will return to Prestbury Park on March 17.

Old McDonald opened his account at the third attempt at Ludlow in December and Glynn is delighted to have secured Fallon's services.

"We are from the same parish in County Clare and Kieren was a neighbour of mine, so I decided to get him booked and I couldn't have got much better," said Glynn.