Andy Newton looks at the key clues to the great race

Andy Newton
Grand National interest starts to pick up pace at this time of year, starting with this month’s Haydock Grand National Trial - on Saturday February 15.
Run over a trip of 3m 4 ½f, this Grade Three Chase is a Grand National trial more in name than actually producing the winner of the Mersreyside Marathon. Why? We are yet to see a winner land both races in the same season. The closest we’ve come was when the mighty Red Rum took the Haydock trial in 1975, but could only manage second in the Aintree Grand Nation...