Confidence building in Character National bid

Despite failing to finish better than 12th in his two outings so far this season, the John Quinn-trained Character Building has been the subject of sustained support for the John Smith's Grand National, writes Elliot Slater.

Withdrawn only days before the big race itself last year when one of the leading market fancies following his impressive win at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, Character Building has been aimed at this year's renewal ever since and should be at his peak on April 10th.

After 11 months off the track, the 10-year-old reappeared in a Doncaster handicap hurdle in early February, but was understandably ring rusty and finished 13th of the 18 runners. He then returned to fencing at the Cheltenham Festival last month and still looked as if the race would bring him on when finishing in mid-division in the William Hill Trophy Chase, behind the gallant Chief Dan George.

Allotted an excellent racing weight of 10st 11lbs, Character Building is reportedly bang on target for the Aintree marathon and has recently attracted support in the ante-post market having been backed down to as short as 18/1 with Stan James, although you can still get on with a number of other firms who still offer 25/1. He certainly looks a tempting Aintree Grand National bet.

There is no doubt that Character Building has a touch of class and looks the ideal sort for the challenge of the John Smith's Grand National. The only serious worry as he is prepared for the big day is the possibility of very soft ground, a surface that he has struggled to cope with in the past.

If the ground on Grand National day is good to soft or better, that will only enhance his prospects, but should it come up soft or even heavy then there is a chance that connections might decide against running him and opt instead for the Scottish equivalent at Ayr a week later.

Rather than risking a losing ante-post bet, it might be worth waiting until closer to the big day itself to see if this lively northern challenger will line up with the other Grand National runners.