Horse Power: Certainly Red can win the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster

CERTAINLY RED can win the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.40pm) at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon.

There are a number of Randox Grand National entrants who will be having their final starts before heading to Aintree Racecourse on April 13 at Doncaster, Kelso and Newbury on Saturday afternoon. And although Lydia Richards’ 10-year-old isn’t one of those he can win the feature on Town Moor.

Kinondo Kwetu and Ashtown Lad could use the 3m2f contest at Doncaster as a stepping stone to Aintree – although neither are currently certain to get in, especially the latter. But they are likely to play second fiddle to Certainly Red anyway. The 10-year-old has not won in over 12 months since a treble at the start last year, including success at Sandown in 2m4f contest. He is now back down to the same handicap mark as his last success over 3m1f at Wincanton last February.

He has been running well enough in defeat in four starts this season, hinting at a return to form when runner-up, weakening late on in the the Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase over three miles back at Sandown last month and when fifth in the 3m2f Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase at Newbury in December. Certainly Red can now return to winning ways.

Full list of weights and entries for the 2024 Grand National

At Kelso another Grand National entrant, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained MONBEG GENIUS can win the Listed bet365 Premier Chase (GBB Race) (3.25pm) to enhance his already decent Aintree claims.

The eight-year-old is the only horse entered at Kelso who is doubly engaged at Aintree in a race which has been used as a stepping stone to Aintree glory by Ballabriggs (2011) and Auroras Encore (2013) – although both were beaten in Scotland before their National success.