Causes in National Trial mix Gordon Elliott's Cheltenham Festival winner Cause Of Causes is the only Irish representative in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock on Saturday. Since landing the National Hunt Chase 11 months ago, the eight-year-old has finished eighth in the Grand National and down the field in a couple of competitive Leopardstown handicaps. Dual Welsh Grand National hero Mountainous is one of three horses Kerry Lee has left in the Haydock race. The first-season trainer also has Bishops Road and Russe Blanc in the valuable handicap chase over an extended three and a half miles, though the latter is likely to wait for the Betfred Eider Chase at Newcastle on February 27th. "I will probably save Russe Blanc for the Eider, but it's a long time between now and Saturday and I just wanted to keep all options open," said the Presteigne trainer. "Russe Blanc is in as good a form as Mountainous and Bishops Road, so it is just a case of seeing nearer the time." Twenty horses stood their ground at the five-day stage, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Unioniste now heading the weights followed by Sue Smith's Cloudy Too, who lifted the Peter Marsh Chase at the Merseyside venue last month. Rigadin De Beauchene landed this prize two years ago and won over this course in December. His trainer Venetia Williams also has Saroque. David Pipe has two possibles in course winners Vieux Lion Rouge and Broadway Buffalo, as does Rebecca Curtis. The Welsh handler is responsible for Bob Ford and Minella On Line. Lucinda Russell, successful 12 months ago with Lie Forrit, relies on One For Arthur, and others in the mix include Alan King's Sego Success, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Spookydooky and Sandy Thomson's Harry The Viking.
