Trainer Christian Williams targets Doncaster then Grand National for Cap Du Nord

All eyes will be on Cap Du Nord, after 18 horses stood their ground at the the five-day confirmation stage, following Royale Pagaille’s impressive victory in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock at the weekend.

The eight-year-old was only beaten three and a quarter lengths by Royale Pagaille at Kempton over Christmas, and Williams is pleased the form of that race has worked out so well.

“It was nice to see Royale Pagaille do what he did on Saturday,” he said.

“The third (Double Shuffle) has won since and the seventh, The Kings Writ, ran very well to finish second in the Somerset National. It’s great.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does (on Tuesday), but it won’t affect Saturday’s race at all. The weights are already out.

“We’re looking forward to Saturday and we’re thinking he could be really suited to the Grand National.

“We’ll try to sneak into that race if we can. He’s rated 139 today (Monday). He might go up again for Royale Pagaille winning. You want to be on the 144 mark maybe to get into the Grand National. It would be great to get him in.”

Canelo, winner of the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby and runner-up to Cap Du Nord at Newbury in Newbury, could bid to give trainer Alan King a third success in the Sky Bet.

Others in the mix include Ladbrokes Trophy runner-up Aye Right for Harriet Graham, Colin Tizzard’s Ascot Silver Cup scorer Mister Malarky and the Sandy Thomson-trained Yorkhill, who bounced back to form with a 66-1 success in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.

Kim Bailey’s dual course and distance winner Rocky’s Treasure and Paul Nicholls’ Give Me A Copper are among other possibles, while the weights are headed by Brian Ellison’s stable stalwart Definitly Red.

The star attraction on the card is set to be the Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin, who tops 12 entries for the Lightning Novices’ Chase.

Last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victor has won both his starts over fences in tremendous style and is already odds-on for the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Jennie Candlish-trained Cheddleton, Phil Kirby’s Whoshotthesheriff and the Nicholls duo of Fast Buck and Tamaroc Du Mathan are among the potential opposition. Henderson has Newbury winner Floressa and Marie’s Rock in the Grade Two Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle, for which there are 11 entries.

Henderson could send Emir Sacree for the other Grade Two on the card, the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle.

The French import made a winning debut for the Seven Barrows trainer at Ascot last month on his first start for 635 days.

There are several promising types among the 14 entries, including the Dan Skelton-trained Ashtown Lad, Bobhopeornohope from the Bailey stable, and Nicholls’ Flash Collonges.

Donald McCain is already looking forward to next season with Navajo Pass following his victory at Haydock on Saturday.

The five-year-old upset dual Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D’Air in The New One Unibet Hurdle, thanks to a bold front-running performance in the hands of Sean Quinlan.

The Cheshire trainer might consider the Grade One Aintree Hurdle, over two and a half miles, as a spring target, but he believes Navajo Pass is a horse for the future.

“Obviously, as everyone has been saying, the favourite probably needed the run, but he (Navajo Pass) went about his job in a good manner and did it really well. He came back well, so happy days,” said McCain.

Star staying hurdler Paisley Park is among nine entries for Saturday’s Paddy Power Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Emma Lavelle’s stalwart got back to winning ways last time out in a thrilling finish with Thyme Hill in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

Philip Hobbs has not entered his charge this time around, but the Ascot form was boosted at the weekend when Roksana, who was third, was an easy winner.

“On paper it might not look as tough as the Long Walk, that’s true, and he’s in great order,” said Lavelle.

Kelso’s meeting today has been abandoned due to a frozen track.

The Borders venue called an inspection for noon on Monday after a succession of cold nights.

Wetherby’s meeting on Thursday must pass a 9am inspection tomorrow.

Following last week’s rain and snow, parts of the back straight at the West Yorkshire track are currently flooded or frozen.

Temperatures will need to rise in order for conditions to improve and while a frost is expected on Monday evening, it should be warmer from Tuesday.

A tweet from the course read: “Sadly the course has several areas of frozen water still standing. Plus we’ve now got frozen ground too!

“Forecast is moderately favourable, but we have scheduled an initial inspection to assess progress at 9am on Wednesday morning.”

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