National trial for Junior

John Smith’s Grand National favourite Junior features among the 23 entries for the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock on Saturday.

David Pipe’s nine-year-old has completed the rare double of landing prizes at the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot, and has not been seen on the racecourse since last year’s Royal meeting.

The nine-year-old is set for an imminent return to the fray, ahead of his run at Aintree in April.