ALL the chat at the moment is rightly focused on Cheltenham, but there was a winner at the weekend that looks tailor-made for Aintree’s Grand National meeting, writes Page Fuller.

Jax Junior was very impressive in the two and a half mile Pendil Novices’ Chase, with a superior turn of foot making easy work of his rivals. Connections sounded keen after the event to take a crack at the Arkle next month, but regardless of his performance in that, I think we’ll see a far more effective animal in April.

Turning for home, the explosive speed he demonstrated was very taking. He soon quickened up to 35.72mph, approaching the third last fence at a rapid 35.65mph.

For context, that Top Speed was easily the fastest on the day, and is currently the 15th fastest Top Speed clocked over fences at Kempton in our database. Pretty speedy.

The tempo of the race was even and suited him well. He approached none of the first 12 fences faster than 30.9mph or slower than 29.3mph, which gave him the perfect springboard into the final half mile. Once turbo kicked in, he averaged 34.6mph approaching the final three fences.

I think this reflects a style of race more often seen at Aintree than on the undulations of Cheltenham.

The Manifesto Novices’ Chase in April is run over two and a half miles on what’s normally similar conditions to last Saturday, and will suit him far better than an ultra-competitive Arkle over two miles next month.