Both Gibb River and Houblon Des Obeaux were unplaced last week- not the best start to the trial - so here's hoping for better on Saturday in the Becher Chase.
2.05 Aintree (Sat)
ROBERTO GOLDBACK gained experience of the Grand National fences when running in the National itself last season. He was in touch until blundering at the 24th, dropping off thereafter and eventually unseating rider Barry Geraghty at the last. However, the experience gained that day should prove invaluable as he returns for another crack at these unique fences, now running over a shorter trip.
He showed his class when landing a Grade 2 chase in Ireland for Dessie Hughes and made a winning start for his current stable when landing the United House Gold Cup handicap at Ascot last season. He's racing off a mark only 1lb higher than at Ascot on Saturday and ran a promising fourth in this year's Ascot renewal, finishing a nose behind stable Triolo D'Alene, who has since won the Hennessy to give the form a big boost.
It may be that Roberto Goldback, too, improves between his first and second runs, as many runners from the Henderson stable this year have needed a run and haven't been fully tuned up first time out.
The selection is more exposed than some of the market principals but Hello Bud twice prospered in the race with a similar profile and perhaps his wealth of chase experience and past experience of these fences proved crucial.
Summary of jumps trial selection for 7th Dec (weak, medium or strong selections, win or EW)
1.50 Newbury - Roberto Goldback 16/1 Coral, Betfred, Bet Victor - weak EW selection
