tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25292190.post7564215884764196371..comments2024-03-24T15:26:37.931+00:00Comments on PG's Tips: Haydock's Grand National TrialGeeDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834633278297488704noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25292190.post-1504519559556656242020-02-15T19:07:49.571+00:002020-02-15T19:07:49.571+00:00It was something of a shock to see Ascot, Lingfiel...It was something of a shock to see Ascot, Lingfield and Haydock all survive Storm Dennis but there was a much bigger shock in store in the Grand National Trial with Smooth Stepper (33/1) staying on after the last to collect the spoils, one and a half lengths ahead of Lord Du Mensil (6/1).<br /><br />Alex Hales' charge ran the sort of race I'd dared to hope One For Arthur (12/1) might - mid division and and then slowly picking off opponents up the long home straight.<br /><br />One For Arthur (12/1) ran in snatches, jumped to his left on occasions and started to lose ground at the back of the field on the final circuit. He was eventually pulled up before the 15th fence and was subsequently found to have a fibrillating heart; he had also lost his left hind shoe.<br /><br />Smooth Stepper has contested two veterans' chases this season but it mattered not a jot as the gelding recorded his first victory since leaving Sue Smith's yard in November 2018. I still retain a soft spot for this one who did me a favour at Kelso a couple of years ago:<br /><br />https://www.pgstipsracing.com/2018/04/sweet-dreams.html<br /><br />11/4f Yala Enki came home third, over 20 lengths behind the winner.GeeDeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834633278297488704noreply@blogger.com