Talking Horse Looks A Real Deal

Nov 23 2008 By Gordon Brown

IT'S thrills and spills all the way if the Grand National fences are in use and we are in for a treat this afternoon when IDLE TALK (2.50) is strongly fancied for the £67,000 Becher Chase.

He certainly has an Aintree pedigree having run well in the last two Nationals and is trained by Donald McCain whose legendary father Ginger won the world's greatest steeplechase four times.

The other race over the big ones is the Grand Sefton Chase in which Jim Goldie's Endess Power should give punters a run for their money.

However, THE HOLLOW BOTTOM (1.40), named after the pub at the end of Nigel Twiston-Davies' gallops, gets the nod.

Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty have struck up a good relationship and can take the opener with FAIRYLAND(12.30).

David Pipe has been a bit worried about a few of his horses but QUARRY TOWN (1.5) got a clean bill of health and has taken well to fences this summer.