Lake View Lad on course for second shot at Grand National

Racing: All the #BoxingDay big race declarations as Lake View Lad looks to make @WetherbyRaces history in Rowland Meyrick Chasehttps://t.co/uap9ASjpQ6@YPSport @YorkshireRacing #racing #Yorkshire #Wetherby

— OpinionYP (@OpinionYP) December 21, 2019

Lake View Lad went into the 2019 Grand National as one of the fancied runners at 14/1* in the betting. Unfortunately for those associated with the horse, he was pulled up four fences from home.

Trainer Nick Alexander would have preferred more rain for his horse last April as the good to soft, soft in places going was not quite soft enough for him.

The Scottish-based horse appeared in the Grade Three 888sport Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase on Boxing Day where he finished third of 10 runners

He was staying on well in the closing stages of that 3m contest to come home in the placings in the race which was won by Top Ville Ben.

Lake View Lad is a 33/1* shot with some bookmakers for the 2020 Grand National where connections will be hoping the experience of the bigger fences will help him ahead of a second attempt at the steeplechase.

Seasonal reappearance came at Newcastle

The nine-year-old made a return to action following his summer break in a Listed contest at Newcastle. He came under pressure just before the third fences from home and then made an error at the second last obstacle to end any hopes of success.

Alexander was pleased with that performance at Newcastle where he carried top weight on testing ground. The Scotsman was confident his horse would come on a lot for that run.

Lake View Lad carried 11-1 on his back in 2019 in the National and with Tiger Roll likely carry top weight in his hat-trick bid, it could help several runners lower down the racecard this year.

Solid form in 2018 from the Scottish-trained horse

Lake View Lad went into the Grand National back in April in excellent form. He was successful in the BetVictor Rehearsal Handicap Chase, a Listed race over 2m7½f. Alexander’s runner then followed that up with victory in a Grade Three contest at Wetherby.

The grey gelding also ran a big race at the Cheltenham Festival a month prior to the Grand National as he was third in the Ultima Handicap Chase which features on day one of the meeting.

He was doing his best work in the closing stages of the 3m1f to run into third place up the hill at Prestbury Park.

Trevor Hemmings searching for record fourth Grand National success

Owner John Hemmings has won the Grand National on three occasions before, a record he currently shares with James Octavius Machell, Noel Le Mare and Gigginstown House Stud, the latter joining the elite club when Tiger Roll defended his crown in 2019.

Hemmings first prevailed in the Grand National when Hedgehunter carried his silks to success in 2005. Ballabriggs was victorious six years later for the leading owner, while Many Clouds brought up his third win in 2015.

The British businessman had three horses carrying his silks in the Aintree contest last April and he will be hoping to have multiple runners in the race once again in 2020, including Lake View Hope who may well be his best chance just like 12 months earlier.

*Odds subject to change.