FORGIVE Frantic Tan (2.55) his diabolical display at Chepstow this week and the eleven-year-old gelding must have a terrific chance of winning the inaugural running of the North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick this afternoon.

Frantic Tan simply ran too badly to be true when pulled up at the south Wales course on Tuesday and is far better judged on his previous effort when sixth in the Coral Welsh Grand National.

Normally a front runner, Denis Caro's thorough stayer was never able to dominate when he flopped so badly, throwing all of the toys out of the pram and having a good old-fashioned sulk.

Such patterns of behaviour are not uncommon among racehorses and to help counteract his tantrums it'll be no surprise if Frantic Tan is kicked into an early lead today, especially as Catterick is renowned for suiting those individuals who enjoy forcing the pace.

Howard Johnson has a good record at the course and Log On Intersky (1.45) showed a liking for the place when routing his opponents with a dazzling display of inch-perfect precision fencing at the track just before Christmas.

Log On Intersky has since suffered an unexpected reverse at Doncaster in January, where he was never really travelling or jumping with his normal fluency. Maybe the Town Moor's wide-open spaces, which are in marked contrast to Catterick's much tighter configuration, didn't suit the normally ebullient gelding.

Provided that theory holds water, Johnson's seven-year-old looks a very solid betting proposition in the £8,000 Whitby Novices' Chase.

Any market moves for Ferdy Murphy's Khan Kicker (3.25) should positively not be ignored in the Aske Handicap Hurdle.

Khan Kicker, who has always been held in high regard by his shrewd West Witton-based handler, is sure to strip much fitter after a couple of spins at Musselburgh, where on each occasion he appeared as if fitness-wise he would come on a bundle for the outing.

No disrespect to Catterick, but Ferdy has much bigger fish to fry down at Newbury, where his potential Cheltenham Gold Cup contender, Truckers Tavern (3.35), takes on some big southern guns in the valuable three-mile £70,000 Aon Chase.

It is an absolute corker of an affair and if, as anticipated, Truckers Tavern beats the likes of Marlborough, then he will truly have earned himself the opportunity to take on the reigning champion, Best Mate, at next month's Festival.

Deep Water's best days are probably over but he has slipped far enough down the weights to collect the cash in the Eagle Park Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.

Micky's Hammond's nine-year-old had a spell with Len Lungo, but things didn't seem to work out and he's now left the west of Scotland to rejoin Hammond's Oakwood Stables in Middleham.

Last time out at Ayr Deep Water showed much of his old sparkle when chasing home Stormy Lord. The latter could turn out to be a very useful novice and if that is the case Micky's grand old-stager might well be on the verge of finally making a welcome return to the winners' circle.

l Nicky Henderson warmed up for an important day's action with a well-fancied double at Kempton yesterday.

The Lambourn trainer bids for big-race success in both the AON Chase and Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury and will be hoping that these two successes provide a suitable boost for the stable before the stakes are raised.

Henderson certainly added another string to his bow when it comes to next month's JCB Triumph Hurdle as Bareme landed the opening contest.

The ex-French gelding had made a disappointing start to his new career at the track last month when trailing home in sixth but showed that he had put the experience to good use as he battled home from Fantastic Champion in the first division of the Rasher Frith Memorial Juvenile Hurdle.

The 11-4 second-favourite, ridden by Norman Williamson, scored by two and a half lengths.

Looking ahead to next month's juvenile hurdling championship, Henderson said: ''He is still a bit green but along with Saintsaire and Nas Na Riogh we have got a nice package there. It may be that we wait for Aintree with him but he seemed to stay well enough today, which might lead us towards the Cheltenham route.

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