Tag Archive for: Randox Grand National

Skelton unimpressed by handicapper comments on National entries

/in /by

Dan Skelton believes the lack of British-trained runners in the Grand National shows responsibility from his colleagues in the training ranks – while also calling some of the recent remarks from the handicapper unhelpful.

Only 31 of the initial 85 entries for the Aintree marathon on April 15 are trained in the UK with the Irish responsible for almost two-thirds of the possibles as they look to extend their winning streak in the world’s most famous steeplechase.

British Horseracing Authority handicapper Martin Greenwood, the man responsible for framing the Grand National weights, suggested the lack of UK-trained contenders reflected the “demise” of the National Hunt scene in Britain.

Trainer Dan Skelton believes it is responsible of his fellow trainers to selectively enter their horses in the Grand National
Trainer Dan Skelton believes it is responsible of his fellow trainers to selectively enter their horses in the Grand National (Joe Giddens/PA)

However, Skelton is quick to defend his fellow handlers by pointing out the various reasons which have led to this situation as well as well as the fact trainers need to take a responsible approach towards the stamina-sapping event.

He said: “I find the handicapper’s comments offensive. He said it shows the demise of British racing. He’s an official of British racing and he shouldn’t be making comments like that. I just find it offensive.

“We don’t ask a referee when they come off a pitch what they think. It is an official’s job to officiate and I thought that was a rather unhelpful comment.

“I wouldn’t use the word demise but the numbers are down. So you are only going to get those horses that are eligible entered and we do have a few less in the UK than perhaps did and will have in the future.”

Skelton went on: “What you have to remember about races like the Grand National is the race is really tough.

“People look at all the positives of these races, but the negatives never get covered. A horse that goes and has a bad experience in the Grand National, it might never get over it, it could take a year to get over it, you just never know.

“Putting your horse in that arena when it isn’t ready for it is sometimes not the right thing to do, so when you see that entries are down there is a whole plethora of reasons for it.

“In a way I actually feel it is responsible, I feel it is a responsible reaction and I think the more people who consider exactly what goes on rather than thinking it’s the Grand National I want a runner in it, the better for us all because it’s a tough, tough race.

“Yes 100-1 shots can win it, but non-staying 100-1 shots don’t.

Le Milos (centre) could give Dan Skelton a fine chance of winning the Randox Grand National on April 15
Le Milos (centre) could give Dan Skelton a fine chance of winning the Randox Grand National on April 15 (John Walton/PA)

“There is a lot of thought that goes into it and I think if people actually thought, you know what, I’m not going to (enter), I say good decision because there is nothing comfortable about seeing horses not complete in that race and I think we’ve all got a part to play there.”

Skelton was a part of Paul Nicholls’ backroom staff when Neptune Collonges landed the Grand National by the barest of margins in 2012.

At the time Ditcheat was home to a galaxy of National Hunt superstars, but the Lodge Hill handler explained how he was blown away by the locals love of the popular John Hales-owned grey and how he would love to win the race himself one day.

“I love the race, I think it is a fabulous public spectacle,” continued Skelton.

“The Liverpudlians fully embrace it as their race and everyone knows we love going up to Aintree, it’s a fabulous place to go.

“I would love to win it and when I worked for Paul I was staggered by the public adoration when Neptune Collonges won.

“I guess it helped he was a grey horse but at the time we had the likes of Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded, Big Buck’s – all these superstars – and we thought we were fairly used to public interest in a our horses and then along comes a Grand National winner and it blows your mind.

“It is great for the sport and I think we should be concentrating on the positives rather than using the word demise.”

In response to Skelton’s comments, a BHA spokesperson said: “Any fan of British jump racing wants to see as many entries as possible in our greatest race taking on the best that Ireland and the rest of the world has to offer.

“It’s what makes the Grand National such an exciting event that is watched internationally by millions of people.

“And while the number of entries is down on previous years there is a huge amount of good work going on within the sport – including by BHA officials – to ensure that British jump racing is in the best position to flourish.

“Martin was simply trying to reflect the disappointment of many British racing fans and it is regrettable if his comments caused any concern.”

Ultima aim for Threeunderthrufive

/in /by

Threeunderthrufive is likely to head straight to the Cheltenham Festival where he will bid to give the McNeill family a first victory in the race they sponsor – the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Twice a Grade Two scorer as a novice chaser, he was quietly fancied for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury earlier in the season only for his foray into open company over the larger obstacles to end in disappointment when regular pilot Adrian Heskin was unseated at the first fence.

However, having skipped a run in the Welsh Grand National over the Christmas period, Threeunderthrufive and Heskin were in perfect harmony during Warwick’s Classic Chase on Saturday – giving a bold sight from the front end before the testing ground took its toll in the closing stages.

Connections were delighted with the display and confirmed the eight-year-old will now be targeted at the opening day handicap at the Festival – for which he is a best priced 25-1 with Bet365 – before a tilt at one of the various Nationals later in the spring.

Adrian Heskin riding Threeunderthrufive on their way to winning the mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Chase during day three of the November Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse in November 2021
Adrian Heskin riding Threeunderthrufive on their way to winning the mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Chase during day three of the November Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse in November 2021 (Tim Goode/PA)

“We were really pleased in what was really his first start over fences this season having unseated in the Coral Gold Cup,” said Iain Turner, racing manager for the McNeill family.

“You could say it was only his second start of the season and also quite a time since his first at Wetherby in October.

“I think the ground was just testing for him and I think the big disappointment is it was good to soft when we entered and if it stayed at that it would have been super. But it can’t be helped – he has come out of the race fine and if he didn’t run at Warwick, where would we have gone?

“It was a hard enough race for him, so he will need a bit of time now to recover and freshen up, and we do have our eye on three-mile-plus staying chases in the spring.”

He continued: “All being well, we will probably be going straight to the Ultima.

“Max (McNeill) has sponsored the race now for a good few years and we’ve had good representation previously with runners that ultimately haven’t troubled the first four. But hopefully this lad can come on for his run and feature.

“It was a nice bit of experience running in a big field (at Warwick). The way novice races go in the UK, you are only really taking on three and four runners through no fault of your own. So he now has a bit more experience under his belt in that regard and there are still very few miles on the clock.

“I think in all probability it will be straight to Cheltenham, then after that one of the Nationals or the Bet365 Gold Cup (Sandown, April 29).”

Although a decision on which of the English, Scottish or Irish Grand Nationals to run in is far from finalised, connections are aware a bold showing at Cheltenham could present them with a golden opportunity to head to Aintree on April 15 with a well-handicapped contender.

“I think my immediate reaction would be Scotland would be more likely than Aintree,” added Turner.

“But given the weights are set for Aintree before the Ultima, if he comes out and wins or finishes second or whatever in the Ultima, he becomes well-in for the Grand National while the Scottish National would be revised weights.

“We would consider Ireland as well because he does have a 100 per cent record going right-handed – although not that it matters at all because he doesn’t jump violently one way or the other.

“I think Warwick is a pretty good jumping test and his jumping hasn’t posed any problems round there twice now – they’ve almost been two of his better performances I would say.”

Escaria Ten to start National preparations with Thyestes test

/in /by

Escaria Ten is set to take his chance in the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on January 26 – the starting point on a tried-and-tested route to the Randox Grand National on April 15.

The Gordon Elliott-trained nine-year-old finished eighth when making his reappearance in the Gowran feature 12 months ago and went on to finish a nose second to National runner-up Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse before showing up well for a long way at Aintree to come home ninth.

He was second to Darasso on his return in a Thurles Listed event in December and connections are hoping the benefit of a run will see him primed for a strong showing in the Thyestes Chase, which could be run in ideal conditions for the soft-ground loving son of Maresca Sorrento.

Escaria Ten (left), jumps the last in the Sam Vestey National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) during day one of the Cheltenham Festival in 2021
Escaria Ten (left), jumps the last in the Sam Vestey National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) during day one of the Cheltenham Festival in 2021 (Michael Steele/PA)

“It was unusually quick ground in the Thyestes last year,” said Iain Turner, racing manager for Escaria Ten’s owners the McNeill Family.

“Normally it is soft or heavy sort of ground and last year it was yielding, so it wasn’t optimum conditions and looking at the weather they have had in Ireland, you are suspecting it will get quite testing.

“Last year we were going to go to the Becher and he just wasn’t quite right the day before declarations so we shelved that and it almost forced us to go straight to the Thyestes, whereas this year we got the run in at Thurles.

“It was probably on ground that was quick enough for him over a trip that might be a bit on the short side up against a race-fit Darasso.

“He ran well that day so hopefully we’ve had our blow-out there and can go to the Thyestes and go closer than we did last year.”

On big-race aspirations for later in the season, Turner added: “It will hopefully be a nice stepping stone for some targets in the spring and if all goes well and he does run well, I think we would probably be going Thyestes, Bobbyjo, Aintree.

“It was the way we went last year and we just got nutted by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo.”

Escaria Ten is one of 11 entries for Elliott in the €59,000 contest as he bids for a third win in the race and he could also be represented by the likes of 2021 winner Coko Beach, dual Grade One victor Death Duty and Pencilfulloflead.

Death Duty is one of 11 entries for Gordon Elliott in the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park later this month
Death Duty is one of 11 entries for Gordon Elliott in the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park later this month (Brian Lawless/PA)

Willie Mullins has won this race eight times and is responsible for eight entries amongst the initial 31 contenders.

The Closutton team could include last year’s runner-up Franco De Port, Saturday’s Warwick Classic Chase runner-up Mr Incredible and Carefully Selected.

Last year’s fourth and recent Paddy Power Chase second Diol Ker is one of four possibles for Noel Meade, while an intriguing entrant is Bob Murphy’s Darren Hope, who was a shock winner of the Florida Pearl Novice Chase when last sighted.

Mr Incredible advertises National credentials in defeat

/in /by

Mr Incredible may have failed in his late quest to run down Iwilldoit in the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick, but his pilot Brian Hayes believes it sets the seven-year-old up perfectly for a tilt at the Randox Grand National on April 15.

Willie Mullins’ raider was just under three lengths adrift of the winner at the line, but having been ridden with patience in the early salvos, was rattling home at a fair pace under the Irishman, keeping on and reducing the deficit with every stride.

Mr Incredible is owned by Paul Byrne, who was the owner of last year’s Grand National winner Noble Yeats before selling the Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old to Robert Waley-Cohen prior to Aintree.

And he could have another contender for the world’s most famous steeplechase on his hands with the son of Westerner available at 33-1 with both Paddy Power and Betfair for the Merseyside marathon.

“It was a cracking run,” said Hayes. “He really warmed up into it. He was a bit slow away and I took the time with him then as was the plan and I was pulling a roller coming down the hill.

“He finished really well. He just missed the second-last and got under the last a little bit, which slowed him down a little bit but the way he finished you would like to think he would be a good horse who will run well in the Grand National anyway.

“I would say the Grand National will be the number one target after that run.”

And the rider, who is a key cog in Mullins’ Closutton team, believes he would have passed the Sam Thomas-trained scorer if the race was run over an extra 50 yards.

When asked if he thought he would catch Iwilldoit, he responded: “I thought so, I was hoping the line wasn’t going to come any earlier and unfortunately it did, another 50 yards and he gets up.”

Aintree could also be on the equation for Dan Skelton’s Ashtown Lad, despite only finishing second in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

A winner over the National fences in the Becher chase earlier this term, he cruised into contention in eyecatching fashion under the trainer’s brother Harry Skelton, but could not grind down Charlie Longsdon’s game Glimpse Of Gala when it mattered most.

“That was a really good run and we’re really happy to him,” said Skelton. “Fair play to the winner as she’s a really gritty horse and she picked up well, but ours isn’t a hurdler.

Ashtown Lad ridden by jockey Harry Skelton on their way to winning the Boylesports Becher Chase (Premier Handicap) at Aintree
Ashtown Lad ridden by jockey Harry Skelton on their way to winning the Boylesports Becher Chase (Premier Handicap) at Aintree (Nigel French/PA)

“I wanted to run him because he’s in good form at home and I didn’t want to then press hard in early February, so that will just keep him ticking over and I’m really happy with him.

“He didn’t quite stay from the back of the last, three miles in soft ground over hurdles is a long trip for any horse. You’re going to want to ask me Grand National questions and that’s my only concern with him – I still have a very unanswered question about that trip.

“He’ll go to Ascot next for the Swinley Chase and I think he’ll be a fair player. I think 145 has got you into the National every year so we’ll see.”

Meanwhile Longsdon was delighted that 5-1 favourite Guetapan Collonges proved he was capable of holding his own when fourth in the day’s feature.

The Chipping Norton-based handler described the race as a “sink or swim” moment for the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old and he thrilled his trainer in the manner he stayed on.

“I’m delighted with him, over the moon with him,” said Longsdon.

“He’s only run in five- and six-runner races all last season. He fell in a two-runner race at Sedgefield, he ran in a six-runner race here. Everyone cribbed his jumping, but he jumped beautifully and Richie McLernon said he got into some rhythm.

“He’s still really weak and Richie said he’s just too weak this year. But another summer on his back and he’ll be a proper horse for all these slow-ground staying chases next year.

“This was a sink or swim today and he definitely stood up to be counted.”

Longhouse Poet could make Galmoy stop on National trail

/in /by

Longhouse Poet could run in the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle as Martin Brassil plots a route back to the Randox Grand National on April 15.

The nine-year-old was pulled up on his reappearance at Punchestown in November, but returned to form in style at Christmas, keeping on well to land the O’Kelly Brothers Demolition Hurdle at Limerick.

Now Brassil looks poised to keep his charge over hurdles for his next outing and will head to Gowran Park on January 26 for the Grade Two contest over three miles.

The Galmoy Hurdle is the support act to the Thyestes Chase and it is somewhat fitting that Longhouse Poet will be back at Gowran exactly 12 months on from announcing himself as a Grand National contender when landing the feature handicap chase.

Subsequently sent off 12-1 for the Aintree showpiece in 2022, the son of Yeats took well to unique challenge of the National course and was still in the running, disputing the lead, at the second-last before falling away late on to eventually finish sixth.

And Brassil, who won the Grand National with Numbersixvalverde in 2006, is eyeing up another crack at the Liverpool marathon with his stable star in the spring.

“I’ll probably run him in the Galmoy Hurdle on January 26,” said Brassil.

“If everything is going well, we hope to get him back there (Aintree). If you have a horse with the profile of one of those National horses, it seems the obvious thing to do.

“He might have a run over fences before the National, but it will probably be the Galmoy Hurdle next.”

Brassil also provided an update on Panda Boy, who was narrowly denied in the competitive Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

Panda Boy, here winning over hurdles at Leopardstown, will return to the Dublin track in February for a run over fences
Panda Boy, here winning over hurdles at Leopardstown, will return to the Dublin track in February for a run over fences (Donall Farmer/PA)

Having shown a real liking for the Dublin track, a return for the Leopardstown Handicap Chase during the Dublin Racing Festival on February 5 appears on the cards.

“We might head back for the Leopardstown Handicap Chase there at the Dublin Racing Festival,” continued Brassil. “He’s done well there every time he has run there.”

On whether Panda Boy could also progress into an Aintree candidate in the future, the Kildare-based handler added: “There will be a few more fences to jump, but you would be hopeful he might be at some stage.”