Lodge looks Classic cracker

STAMINA will be at a premium at Warwick today and with Grattan Lodge having more staying power than the mother-in-law over Christmas, he is taken to land the feature totesport Classic Chase.

Grand National credentials are often on show in this three-mile-five-furlong marathon and Howard Johnson’s northern raider could emerge as a live Aintree candidate by taking the £66,700 first prize.

Grattan Lodge is a maturing jumper who seems to be progressing with every run, and he has landed nine of his 16 starts, six of those victories coming over staying trips at Carlisle. The gallant grey’s last win came at the Cumbrian track when he rallied gamely to see off previous winner Malek, who has since franked the form by chasing home Truckers Tavern in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby.