Adamantly Chosen has Grand National in sights after victory
ADAMANTLY CHOSEN may have bumped himself up a few Grand National shortlists with a decisive victory at Down Royal yesterday.
Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old came into the Bluegrass Stamm 30 Chase having not hit the frame this season so far, and under Seán O’Keeffe he was a 3/1 chance in a field of five.
He has solid form further back on his record, however, and was second to both Mighty Potter and Gerri Colombe as a novice in two Grade One events last season. Stepping up in trip to three and a quarter miles for the first time, the test of stamina seemed to suit him and he was comfortably the best on the day when recording a 14-length success over Roi Mage, with stablemate Classic Getaway a further six and a half lengths behind in third.
Adamantly Chosen was halved from 66/1 to 33/1 in places for the Grand National and is currently 35th on the list — meaning he only requires one horse to come out for him to make the cut under the newly-introduced field size rule.
O’Keeffe expects him to be happier on quicker spring ground, and said after the triumph: ‘It was a good performance. I think the horse enjoyed maybe going a gear slower than he had been in the good handicaps. He got into a nice rhythm.
‘We went a nice enough even gallop and, in fairness, I knew my lad had a bit of speed. I was kind of riding him for that, but I think he has shown that he stays today.
‘When we got up to the thirdlast, he came alive again under me on the nicer ground. Hopefully into the spring on nicer ground, he will be better again.’
Last year’s National winner Corach Rambler is on course for
Aintree again after finishing third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last Friday.
Under Derek Fox, the gelding raced at the rear and at one stage looked detached, but as stamina came to the fore in soft ground, he eventually began to pick off his rivals.
Over the last three fences, he gained considerable ground and gave chase to the horses ahead of him, and although he could catch neither Galopin Des
Champs nor Gerri Colombe, he was still a gallant third.
‘I was absolutely delighted with him and I think he’s quite pleased with himself, all roads lead to Aintree now,’ said trainer Lucinda Russell. ‘I’m immensely proud of him and everyone who has gotten him there, he’s just a remarkable horse.
He added: ‘That was one of his best runs and he’ll go for the race (Grand National) off a good mark now.’