Brooks duo seek better track at Riccarton

Cambridge trainer Mark Brooks is hoping that his jumpers El Disparo and El Fernando will be met by a better track at Riccarton today for the second day of the Grand National carnival.

The geldings started on Saturday, the first day of the meeting, and Brooks thought the going was too tough for both runners. El Disparo will tackle the day’s feature, the 130th Grand National Hurdles (4200m), and Brooks believes the son of El Hermano will put in a good showing after his third-placing in the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m).

‘‘I was pretty happy with his run on Saturday, he probably just hit the wall the last little bit,’’ Brooks said.

‘‘I thought the track was a touch heavy for him, so hopefully these frosts over the last couple of mornings just might dry it out a little bit.’’

El Disparo arrived with his stablemate at Riccarton on Friday after a two day trip and Brooks believes the eight-year-old gelding will improve off Saturday’s run.

TAB bookmakers have set Bad Boy Brown as a $3.70 race favourite for the race, while El Disparo is labelled a $9.50 winning chance.

Brooks will also line-up El Fernando in the 0-1 win steeplechase (3200m) and he said the son of El Hermano has taken no harm from falling at the final fence in Saturday’s Maiden Steeplechase (3200m).

‘‘He looked like he was getting a bit tired and he had a lie down at the last,’’ Brooks said. ‘‘He seems to have taken no harm from that, so we will go again on Wednesday.’’