The William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial at Haydock on Saturday (3:15) has the lot: a cracking field of 11 staying chasers, a £100,000 first prize, and the tantalising carrot of a £500,000 bonus for any horse who can win this and follow up in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on April 11th.
It’s a race that asks serious questions of its participants. Three and a half miles around Haydock in February is no joy ride, and the form of previous winners tells an interesting story — Famous Bridge landed the prize 12 months ago but failed to kick on, finishing sixth in the Ultima and pulling up in the Scottish National.
This year’s renewal is headed by two horses with plenty of ability but nagging question marks.
Myretown: Brilliant But Fragile
Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s Ultima winner remains one of the most talented staying chasers in training — when he gets round. And that’s the issue.
The SmartForm data makes uncomfortable reading for Myretown backers. In 10 career starts over fences, he has failed to finish five times. That’s a 50% completion rate — deeply concerning for a horse supposedly being aimed at Aintree, where getting home is everything.
His two runs this season tell the story. He fell in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November, and while he completed the Peter Marsh at Haydock in January, he could manage only fourth, beaten by a combination of jumping errors and a lack of recent race fitness.
When Myretown is fluent, he’s high class. His Ultima win off a mark of 127 at the Cheltenham Festival last March was a top-quality performance in a field of 24 runners. But the 15lb rise in the weights since that triumph, combined with those persistent jumping issues, means you’re taking a significant risk at what’s likely to be a short price.
Deafening Silence: The Value Play?
Dan Skelton’s Deafening Silence brings solid each-way credentials at what should be a much bigger price. His third in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27th was arguably a career-best effort — beaten less than five lengths by the classy Haiti Couleurs in a 17-runner field, having been sent off at 28/1.
Prior to that, he ran a fine race to finish second in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, beaten by a useful sort in another competitive handicap. He stays well, handles cut in the ground, and at the age of eight is still on an upward trajectory over these marathon distances.
The trip here should suit him perfectly. His best form has come at three miles plus, and Haydock’s flat, galloping track should allow him to use his stamina without being caught out by the kind of technical fences you’d find at somewhere like Cheltenham.
The £500,000 Factor
William Hill’s bonus adds a fascinating dimension. Win this and the Grand National, and you’re looking at over £800,000 in total prize money — life-changing sums for the smaller yards in particular.
No horse has yet claimed the bonus since the initiative began, and the history suggests it remains a long shot. But the connection between this trial and Aintree is well established, and any horse who handles Haydock’s stamina test with something in hand has to be respected when the big one comes around.
The Verdict
Myretown has the class but the numbers don’t lie — a 50% completion rate over fences is a red flag for any race, let alone one designed as a Grand National stepping stone. At likely odds of around 3/1, the risk-reward doesn’t stack up.
Deafening Silence looks the smarter play. His Welsh National third gives him rock-solid form credentials for this trip, and if the bookmakers price him at 6/1 or bigger on the strength of that Chepstow run, he could offer genuine value in what looks a wide-open renewal.
Whatever happens, this is proper Saturday afternoon National Hunt racing. Enjoy it.