Blaklion heads up Ulster Aintree hopes

THE formerly Templepatrick-trained Blaklion will be well backed at Aintree tomorrow to complete a notable big-race hattrick by horses with Ulster links.

Blaklion goes in the world’s greatest steeplechase, the £1million Aintree Grand National, sponsored by Crumlin-based Randox Health.

Connections will be looking to follow on from the success of Native River — bred in Dromore by the Mackay family — which won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and General Principle, winner of the Irish Grand National, who made a winning debut at Kirkistown point-to-point for Larne trainer Stuart Crawford prior to his sale to Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary.

Last year’s winner, One For Arthur, started his career in a Crumlin point-to-point while Pineau De Re won the Ulster National in 2013 before victory in the real thing in 2014. Bindaree, Little Polveir, Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, Red Alligator and Anglo are a few of the locally bred past winners of the National.

Blaklion gets the vote to continue the province’s successful association with the spectacular.

The son of Ascot Gold Cup winner Kayf Tara finished fourth on his points debut in 2013 with dual Northern Region Champion rider, Banbridge based Mark O’Hare aboard, and the locally owned and trained horse also finished third in another pointto-point to One For Arthur.

British trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has been a great supporter of the local points circuit, Drumbo Park (tonight at 8.17pm) 335: Loughide Emma, Barefoot Actor, Cashen Kampala, Frainey Lodge, Miss Conti, Tullyard Walk

335: Markstreet Ben, Brosna Leader, Border Scolari, Victoria Magic, Killglen Tess, Boynepark Bolt

335: Lynnway Storm, Lintown Elsa, Twinkle Girl, Thanksforanother, Strafield Lad, Highview Rizon

525: Tourig Trixi, Cuba Blue, Blackabbey Cleo, Insteadofsandra, Couzins Joeboy, Ardera Lily

335: Fox Encounter, Westway Gaga, Ribbon Dancer, Dark Vanity, La Carbonero 525: Shenandoah, Dorsey Rose, Drumna Snow, Catchyurselfon, Lisnaward Blaze, Ballygogue Sky

335: Pookies Arrow, Lavan Bob, Braefield Mist, Indian Dancer, Dungannon Quest, Struell Lad

525: Peace N Milan, Kilbreedy Castle,

Local links: Blaklion was formerly trained at Templepatrick

buying numerous horses.

Blaklion has now won nine races and in excess of £400,000 for his connections, including finishing fourth in last year’s renewal and showed his well-being and liking for the course and fences when winning the Beecher Chase in December of last year, beating The Last Samuri — runner up to Rule The World in the 2016 running of the race.

“He was only beaten eight lengths last year and we will ride him with more restraint this time. He’s gone up 8lb but should be thereabouts,” said Twiston-Davies.

Double Ross, bred by Down Royal committee member Tom McIlhagga, is another of the Twiston-Davies National team. The trainer said: “He was going well two years ago when the saddle slipped at the Canal Turn.”

Errill Cool, Trap Rise, Conlig Belle, Nanny Margie

Dundalk (tonight at 8.05pm)

400: Saratoga Polly, Waltzers Away, Killaculla Love, Mauna Loa, Avadon Bluey, Catunda Capri

400: Killglen Madison, Sir Bob, Natural Wonder, Velvet Mac, Shes Packinspeed, Curryhills Bolt

350: Raspberry Rascal, Santro Bull, Courtlough Meg, Mwamba Blue, Footwork Buckos Boy

525: Dredfred Preston, Come On Ted, Debidee Express, Carrickeavy Lass, Catunda Robert, Happy Days

525: Malbay Cody, Courtlough Susie, Sisnemesisgeorge, Deja Drama, Revilo Dove, Muckno Pop

525: Night Time Ma, Bit Of Boston, Another Flake, Cooly Banks, Escape Face, Curious Gal

400: Cassies Warrior, Huntsmans Close, Harry Fault, Noticketforjoe, Murleys Bob, Annual Rock

The Last Samuri paid a visit to Down Royal in 2016 to contest the festival feature and was no match for Valseur Lido but is better suited to Aintree and warmed up for the National by finishing third in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The Last Samuri has the very important course form to be a major player.

Armagh jockey Brian Hughes will partner Seeyouatmidnight, bought a few days ago by David and Patricia Thompson in a bid to repeat the same formula that saw the couple buy Party Politics just days prior victory in 1992.

The selection has the benefit of the trainer’s son Sam aboard.

Anibale Fly has a premier Grade 1 effort to his credit and Barry Geraghty takes the mount. Forecast: 1 Blaklion; 2 Anibale Fly; 3 Seeyouat midknight; 4 Double Ross.

525: Shlowdown Seanie, Wren Street, Barnacuiga Annie, Juggle Muggle, Deja Dance, Ronans Baby

525: Always Smiling, Tinas Peppa, Win For Caitlin, Corrough Asset, Tullymurry Tiger, Young Willie MC

Drumbo Park (Saturday at 8.20pm) 335: Dungannon Falcon, Tidy Up Buttons, Archview Lady, Jesses Diva, Tisbutadream, Kenyan Rose

525: Twinkle Cain, Sober Princess, Abbies Silver, Itsallaboutmary, Greenmount Lily, Bybyetobridie

525: Red Door, Marys Girl, Auto Blitzer, Conlig Beauty, Buddy, Darfin Jade

335: Derramore Lass, Dungannon Secret, Ketch Up Secet, Scullys Tommy, Sametwoyou, Von Ryansexpress

Gribben Motors first semi-final 525: Sizzling Don, Rookery Breeze, Beamng Rainbow, Boherna Buddy, Ten Or Jack, Bandicoot Joshua

Second semi-final: Saleen Stars, Fernisky Tango, No Deal Dave, Santro Eclipse, This One Time, Black Knight Ali

525: Glenanne, Stouke Storm, Meandhim, Cassies Wonder, Fahy Black, Corrin Mary 525: Brockagh Eva, Coolagorna Cyril, Caledon Queen, Paradise Sofia, Killure King, Blueview Carrie

Dundalk (programme for Saturday at 8.05pm)

525: Kilbreedy Mist, Steely Shadow, Star Zero, Inslips Deliliah, Windtown Cass, Lost The Plot

400: No Mumbo Jumbo, Flemish Girl, Right Lets Go, Eager Ember, Knockard Brandy, Ah Go On

400: Heist, Matching Noah, Mals Boy, Groveshill Ash, Caw Caw, Bourbon Country

525: Boherna Buddy, Mystic Ann Marie, Fridays Picture, Santro Rena, Move Over Henry, Gatillos Magic

400: Santro Vic, Ardagh Tango, Nabrina, Verrazano, Promising Run, Tullymurry Tico

620:

Beaming Rainbow, Unrepeatable, Kereight Quam, Jaytee Denver, Tiernans Light, Lisnastrane Gold

400: Burgoyne Boomer, Beslow Maximus, Dorotas Del Mar, Frisky Leader, Sheanadoah, Monleek Dakota

620: Lazy Aine, Union St Blues, Boleys Fella, Coconut Crusader, Quivers Crystal, Ballymac Fifi

620: Smurfing Season, Corner Bar, Ballykett Beauty, Eager Jude, Curly Chic, Old Fort Miami

525: Grovesill View, Climb The Walls, Valeries Express, Annamore Rusty, Cricket Bat, Fridays Caramel

Lifford (Saturday at 8.02pm)

350: Townsend Brook, Wax And Wane, Briannahs Tango, Loughgur Lottie, Deputy Dog, Ronniefascotland

350: Fridays Marie, Hollyhill Sally, Colarhouse Pajoe, Ferrari Simba,. Livinonaprayer, Weekly News

350: Tough Cain, Jenny The Jet, Rag Dolly Molly, Hollow Sarahshay, Mulroy Bridge, Andreas Rocket 350: Briannahs Charm, Crunchi Nut, Spin Away, Station Earners, Glenside Oghill, Rossmore Lass

525: Galeforce Skye, Rahina Crystal, Tahina Corey, Kittys Kai, Shesashowoff, Inishowen Capri

350: Dan Me Daddy, Ronans Boy, Mums Susie, Rosiebluejeans, Rossmore Ben, Tartan Tumble

350: Townsend Julie, Superfine Sound, West Knows Best, Hillcroft Honey, Devon Vic, Rosshill Rocket

350: Hazelwood King, Ardagh Rowan, Fridays Skittles, In Harmonic, Cals Whiskey, Kinross Norman

575: Finnery Loch, Skiproe Roger, Alien Red Bull, Product Blue, Smurfing Senor, Master Prada

525: Our Tilly, Tahina Freddie, Jaguar Jack, Tyrgal Bonnie, Colarhouse Snowy, Gabbys Mila

525: Hollow Sapphire, Bucks Gent, Black Lee, Fernhill Rosie, Fridays Crystal, Tahina Fergal