RAIN THREAT TO ROUTE Trainer Howard Johnson fears the forecast of heavy rain may scupper Direct Route`s attempt to win at the Martell Grand National meeting for the fourth year running tomorrow. His 10-year-old is one of nine horses declared for the Grade One Martell Melling Chase, a race he has won for the past two years - having landed the Maghull Novices` Chase in 1998. He also finished second in the 1997 Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle. However, the gelding must have good ground to be seen at his best and has been restricted to just two outings this season. Johnson said today: 'He`s very well but I just hope it doesn`t rain, that`s the big problem. 'He wouldn`t win if he started now on soft ground but as long as the rain stays away he`ll be all right. 'David Parker popped him over a fence yesterday and he jumped well and David said he felt great. 'And Norman Williamson came up to ride him work at Southwell last Friday and he pinged off the all-weather.' Direct Route faces stiff opposition in the two-and-a-half-mile contest. Last year`s Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Edredon Bleu, Tingle Creek Trophy scorer Flagship Uberalles and Ascot Chase victor Tiutchev are three of the stars on show. Cenkos, Eskleybrook, who runs in today`s Martell Red Rum Handicap Chase, Fadalko, Satchmo and Lady Cricket complete the line-up. On the same card the Heidsieck Monopole Mildmay Novices` Chase sees a mouthwatering clash between leading novice chasers Bacchanal and Shotgun Willy. The Nicky Henderson-trained Bacchanal beat Paul Nicholls` Shotgun Willy by a distance and 21 lengths in the Feltham Novices` Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. However, Shotgun Willy was reckoned to be unsuited by going right-handed that day and showed his true colours when beating First Gold at Newbury in February. Eight horses in all have been declared for the Grade Two event.
