Samlee has what it takes to score

Martell Grand National candidates are on show today in the Tote Eider Chase at Newcastle and this stamina test can throw some light on the Aintree marathon.

Philip Hobbs runs his National hope Samlee in the Gosforth Park feature and this sound jumper can prove his worth in a trappy handicap whose grueling four miles and a furlong will present no problems.

The nine-year-old has shown improved form since tackling a distance of ground and on his final start last season ran an absolute cracker to finish a length-and-a-half second to Belmont King in the Scottish Grand National over today's trip.

That progress has continued this term with wins at Aintree and Sandown from five outings. But the son of Good Thyne ran his best race of the campaign when third in the Welsh National in December.

Samlee, who takes time to warm up in his races, found himself way out of touch at Chepstow and faced an impossible task with half a mile to travel but stayed on to good effect to finish around 12 lengths behind Earth Summit.

Ottowa can upset some National aspirants in the John Hughes Grand National Trial at Chepstow. Although lightly raced, this former useful hurdler has proved himself at least as good over fences with two wins from four starts, including a personal best when landing a valuable handicap at Uttoxeter last time.

Outpaced five out, Paul Nicholls' eight-year-old rallied strongly in the straight and got the better of Call It A Day by a length in what turned out to be a real slog in the mud.

Ottowa, who will have learned from the experience and is still unexposed over fences, will find conditions suitable at the Welsh course and can continue his progress with his third chasing success.

With Impunity can give Nicholls a quick double 30 minutes later in the Tony Preston Fledgling Chase over an extended 19 furlongs.

The son of Sula Bula has developed into a useful chaser this season with wins at Aintree and Warwick to his credit.

However, he reserved his best effort for his most recent outing at Ayr when up against the improving Monnaie Forte.

Receiving only 1lb from the Scottish runner, Nicholls's nine-year-old jumped well but in the end had to admit he had met one too good and went down by two and a half lengths.

Now that he has got his fencing technique together, With Impunity can score here at rewarding odds.

Lake Kariba can round off a good day for the Shepton Mallet handler, who has sent out more chase winners than any other trainer this season, by landing the Michael Page Group Kingmaker Novice Chase at Warwick.

On Wolverhampton's allweather card Eric Alston saddles his Lincoln hope Gulf Shaadi in the Ladbroke Freephone 0800 524 524 Handicap and this tough campaigner can endorse his claims for the big handicap with a win on the fibresand.