Racing: Call It A Day is of National interest

ANTE-POST UPDATE

WITH A maximum field of 24 and 55 declared yesterday and the draw an unknown element at this stage - if the ground is on the soft side low numbers should hold the edge - the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday looks very tricky. Further Outlook, strongly fancied but not in the top 24 in the weights, may miss the cut.

The Grand National is little clearer. The David Nicholson pair, Go Ballistic and Call It A Day have ran excellent trials last week, but Go Ballistic, who had Double Thriller - set to receive just 5lb from him at Aintree - 31 lengths back in fourth when runner up to See More Business in the Gold Cup, may miss the National for the Martell Cup. Call It A Day was runner up to Young Kenny (not in the National) in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter on Saturday and was backed from 14-1 to 10-1 yesterday for Aintree.

Betty's Boy and Island Chief, first and second in the National Hunt Handicap Chase at the Festival, did their National prospects no harm. However, they are set to be 8lb and 9lb worse for seven lengths and five lengths respectively with third-placed Nahthen Lad at Aintree.