Island Chief can make a mockery of the handicap by winning the £85,000-added Greenalls Grand National Trial Chase at Haydock today. The 10-year-old looks extremely well in, having won both his races this season, despite officially being 17lb wrong at the weights.

The simple reason for the handicapper's leniency is that Island Chief was off the track for two years with a leg injury after beating Lord Gyllene by five lengths and a head at Wetherby in December, 1996.

That rival was set to meet Island Chief on 11lb worse terms at the revised weights but the 1997 Grand National winner misses today's Showcase handicap because of the soft ground.

Trainer Peter Beaumont's patience has already been rewarded, with Island Chief making a triumphant comeback at Wetherby when beating Share Options by two and a half lengths last month.

And his gelding humped topweight of 12st to a seven-length victory over Committed Schedule at Ayr two weeks ago.

Simply Gifted can give weight all round in the Makers Mark Bourbon Victor Ludorum Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

This would not be the most competitive running of this race and Simply Gifted looks a well above-average novice on the strength of an impressive success over Ilahabad (an easy winner subsequently) at Wetherby over Christmas.

Blowing Wind can boost his Champion Hurdle prospects with victory over Master Beveled in the Stretton Leisure Select Hurdle.

Martin Pipe's runner has been disappointing so far this term but he hit form with a vengeance this time last season.

Mr Strong Gale can gain handsome compensation for his last-gasp defeat in the Great Yorkshire Chase by going one better in the £60,000 Racing Post Chase at Kempton.

Last year's Racing Post Chase winner Super Tactics drops back a mile for the Jack Joseph 80th Birthday Emblem Chase. He loves the track so much that a sixth course win is on the cards.