BLACK APALACHI can make it third-time lucky in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree.

Dessie Hughes’ Irish raider has failed to complete the last two renewals, but should be a lot more streetwise on his return to Liverpool.

Chief cause for optimism can be derived from a terrific display in the Bobbyjo Chase – one of Ireland’s key National trials – in which he finished second to stablemate Vic Venturi.

He is also a winner over the exacting Aintree birch when striking gold in the Becher Chase two years ago.

Although he fell in last year’s National, many observers concurred that the gelding was a shade unfortunate.

Black Apalachi was travelling better than anything at the head of affairs, but simply met Becher’s wrong on the second circuit.

That was an uncharacteristic gaffe as he had never fallen before.

Although he has a troubling amount of weight on his back, the chief handicapper has said this week he feels Black Apalachi has actually got into the race lightly.

Likely to strip a lot fitter than in the Bobbyjo, his first run over fences for 10 months, Hughes’ charge has the class to offset 11st 6lb.

Also look out for Zaynar earlier on the card in the John Smith’s Dick Francis Aintree Hurdle.

Third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Nicky Henderson’s grey should be in his element over this longer trip.

He has the scope to reverse Kelso form with Quwetwo, especially on this better ground.

Victorias Groom will appreciate the return to the rather lower-key setting of Market Rasen tomorrow.

On an afternoon where quality is thin on the ground following the culmination of Aintree’s Grand National jamboree, it means Lucy Wadham’s gelding stands out as something of a class act.

Victorias Groom could conceivably have been thrown back into the Festival cauldron as he is pretty useful on his best form.

But his sensible trainer has plumped for a drop in standards, as he found the Byrne Group Plate at last month’s Cheltenham meeting too much to ask.

Victorias Groom has obliged three times over fences this season but crucially comes into his own when faced with a small field, which is exactly what he will get in the West Lindsey District Council Easter Cup Novices’ Chase.

Aintree success for Alan King was at least a little compensation for the likeable trainer’s dreadful season and he can be among the winners at Southwell with Nulato in division one of the Ashfield Chad Maiden Hurdle.

He returned from a long absence in February and although he made no impression on his comeback, there was far more encouragement to be gleaned from his next effort at Taunton.

■ Owner and trainer may disagree whether Always Waining is a future Grand National horse but they were united in joy as he thundered home 12 lengths clear in the John Smith’s Topham Chase.

Already fourth in this event over the big green Aintree fences 12 months ago, handler Peter Bowen would really fancy Always Waining to tackle the National itself in 2011 – but owner Peter Douglas does not believe he will stay the extra 14 furlongs.

That discussion can wait for another day as he collected the prize of more than £56,000 under a positive ride from Brian Hughes.