Charlie McCann reviews the 2010 John Smiths Grand National trials

The Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday appeared the better Grand National Trial of the weekend with winner Vic Venturi and runner up Black Apalachi both being cut in the betting by Stan James for the 2010 John Smith's Grand National. 

Both horses are in the care of Dessie Hughes and both have winning form over the National fences having won the last two renewals of the Becher Chase. Black Apalachi will meet Vic Venturi on 5lb better terms than in the ATR sponsored race on Saturday at Aintree and he was going well when coming down at Bechers 2nd time in Mon Mome's race last year. Whilst it is too soon to say what the outcome would have been he would surely have gone close but for unseating Denis O'Regan. He also came down at the 2nd in the 2008 National won by Comply Or Die when a 66/1 outsider.

Vic Venturi won a modest Becher Chase renewal ( 8 went to post) run on desperate ground in 2009 when he jumped carefully albeit safely. He has winning form on good ground but seemed to find things happening too quickly at Fairyhouse in the Irish National last spring.  Vic Venturi is now 14's from 25's for Aintree with Black Apalachi 16's from 20's and there is no doubt that trainer Dessie Hughes has a strong hand but they now look too short in the betting although they would be much shorter on the day if the ground was soft....but it's got to stop raining eventually hasn't it?

Mon Mome was pushed out to 33's in the wake of his run behind Silver By Nature (not engaged) in the Blue Sq Gold Cup at Haydock. That might have been an overraction and he has subseqently been cut to 25's. Remember good ground is the key to him and I'm sure we'll see a different proposition in April.  Big Fella Thanks has been taken out of the Racing Post Chase this weekend and with plenty of rain forecast on soft ground that race will be be a real war of attrition.

The hope is that Mouse Morris sees sense and gives War Of Attrition the green light to run at Aintree as he certainly makes plenty of appeal. Despite the fact that Stan James are not quoting him in the wake of his handler's comments post announcement of the weights he and State Of Play remain my two against the field at this stage, although Possol puts his Grand National credentials on the line at Kempton at the weekend and his first run over the bigger obstacles since the Stan James Festival Chase last spring is eagerly awaited.

Grand National 2010 - Outright Ante Post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 4)

• 10    Tricky Trickster (from 12)
• 14    Vic Venturi (from 25)
• 16    Black Apalachi (from 20)
• 16    Big Fella Thanks
• 16    Niche Market
• 16    Backstage
• 20    State Of Play
• 20    Possol
• 25    Comply Or Die
• 25    Mon Mome
• 25    Character Building
• 25    Ballyholland
• 25    Snowy Morning
• 33   Bar