ROCKY Creek was the star performer across the water last week when he ran out an easy winner of the three mile BetBright Chase at Kempton.

In any other year, this performance would have taken him to the top of the Crabbie’s Grand National market, but A.P. McCoy’s mount is guaranteed favouritism this time. Saturday’s victory earned him a 9lb rise for the future and his allocated National weight of 11st 3lb, added to his experience around the track last year, put him first on any National list.

The top five in the weights are also entered in the Gold Cup but even if the weights go up and Rocky Creek has to carry 11st 7lb, it’s hard not to see him finishing in the first five again. The general 12/1 looks very good value.

Otherwise there wasn’t much to recommend many of the Grand National entries in action last weekend.

At Kempton Godsmejudge reportedly pleased his trainer Alan King in finishing fifth but still needs to step up on this to get on terms with the winner on just a pound better terms in the National.

FRAILTIES

At Newcastle, Wyck Hill and Shotgun Paddy departed in the Eider before the race developed and the latter’s jumping frailties are likely to let him down at Aintree. Portrait King was hampered by the fall of Wyck Hill and never looked like repeating his success of two years ago.

At Fairyhouse, Roi Du Mee showed predictable courage to get back and beat Foildubh but he is not very big and carrying a possible 11st 7lb around Aintree might be asking too much for all that he would make a brave attempt.