The 124th running of the Grand National Hurdles takes place tomorrow at Riccarton Park in Christchurch. The $70,000 race is sponsored by the good folk from Hospitality NZ, is run over a course of 4200m and sits as Race 8 on the programme at 3.25pm. And for once…I’ve got myself organised and I will be there, with my bells on…I can’t wait. So far three horses have been withdrawn from the original field of 13 and there must be some doubt over one of the likely favourites Sea King, who remains without a rider declared at the time of writing. Sea King was the sound winner of the Sydenham Hurdles on Saturday, the principal final prep-race for the National, when he was ridden by Jo Rathbone. If he lines up, the form book points to another good performance. Meanwhile, Jo Rathbone has her name alongside stable mate, Honey in the race book right now. Jo will be hoping that during the course of the afternoon, she will secure her 100th race winning ride. No reason to think she can’t! On behalf of NZ Jumps, I wish her the best of luck! However, I don’t think that win will happen on-board Honey in the big race. The 10-year-old daughter of Al Akbar struggled at the National distance last year and may again. I actually think the achievement may already be in the bag by the time the gates open for the National, as the talented rider seems have a plum opportunity in the 0-1 win event, the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Steeplechase on the grey, Snowdroptwinkletoes who bounded away on Saturday in the maiden steeplechase. So who are the likely candidates in the National? Last year’s winner Wotabuzz has to be considered. He ran eye-catchingly well behind Sea King and the extra distance will suit. This has been the target of this Mark Oulaghan stable star all year and he will be hard to beat. In form Englishman, Michael Mitchell is in the saddle. Lisa Latta-trained Waitaha Toha did very well in the Wellington Hurdle running a good second and rarely puts in a bad one. He is probably the best place bet of the day, if you are looking for slightly better than bank interest. Meanwhile Yamanoura, who will be lugging around 70kg courtesy of a stella jumping career in Australia ran a strong second to Sea King on Saturday and displayed the class everyone hoped he still retained after a long spell off the scene. The remaining contenders are certainly far from forlorn hopes and all can be considered for place bets. The South Island pair of Gargamel and Aronsay are ultra-consistent. What a great result if Gargamel cracked his maiden in this race after five placings from five starts over jumps this year! Aintree was beaten fair and square at Trentham in the Wellington Hurdles but is three from six over jumps and jockey, Isaac Lupton pops up on more than his fair share of big race winners. Mahanadi was a tad disappointing on Saturday behind Sea King but could not be discounted after going well for such a long way, whilst the final chance, Conquistador is maiden jumper who has been knocking on the door. Truth is, it is hard to see him breaking his duck today. There are two other jumping races on the programme, Race 1, 11.25am is the Trevinos Bar & Restaurant Maiden Hurdle, where my pick is Applaud and Race 3, 12.30pm the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Steeplechase where Eric The Viking can maybe turn the tables on Snowdroptwinkletoes, if ridden maybe a wee bit closer to the action. Great race in store though. Bring it on!
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 10:16:48 +0000
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