Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Mullins’ pick could make a splash in the National
MEETINGOFTHEWATERS has plenty going for him ahead of what promises to be an attritional Randox Grand National, and can put Willie Mullins bang in the race for the trainers’ championship.
The Closutton maestro carried all before him again at the Cheltenham Festival, where this seven-year-old was not one of his leading lights but ran a superb trial for his day to shine at Aintree.
Despite having to fiddle his way over quite a few fences under Mark Walsh, he was travelling strongly entering the home straight but had to settle for third after somewhat ballooning the penultimate obstacle.
Having unseated Brian Hayes at the first fence when hampered at the Dublin Racing Festival, that was effectively his first outing since the festive period and Meetingofthewaters just ran a touch freely early on.
With any cobwebs now blown away, he should settle better on Merseyside and more improvement is expected.
Walsh prefers to ride Limerick Lace but it will be no inconvenience to have Danny Mullins back on board, as he was in the saddle when Meetingofthewaters jumped better over Christmas and ran out a convincing winner of the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, proving he can handle a big field in the process.
Formerly trained by Eugene O’Sullivan, he has been at Closutton for less than a year and it would be no surprise to see his current connections get more and more out of him, plus he is at the right end of the weights for running this famous marathon in what look sure to be gruelling conditions.
Dan Skelton again proved his prowess at getting one ready for a repeat win in a valuable handicap at Cheltenham and Aintree specialist West Balboa can bolster his title aspirations.
This lightly-raced mare landed some nice bets when powering home by five lengths in last year’s renewal of the William Hill Handicap Hurdle and hammered Brewin’upastorm by 12 lengths here in November.
That rival recently franked the form with a Grade Two success at Fairyhouse, and West Balboa looks primed for a return to top form following a solid effort over a shorter trip at Kempton last month.
Paul Nicholls will bid to hit back with expensive new recruit Caldwell Potter in the Grade One Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle but preference is for his former stablemate Brighterdaysahead.
Gordon Elliott was in a particularly bullish mood ahead of her trip to Cheltenham but Golden Ace stayed on better up the Prestbury Park hill to upset odds-on backers.
That race got a little bit messy rounding the home turn but Aintree is expected to suit the much-vaunted five-year-old far better and Jack Kennedy will hopefully be able to deliver her with a smoother challenge.
Crebilly did really well to finish second of 21 behind Shakem Up’Arry in the Plate at Cheltenham after not quite getting his jumping right and he remains a horse with plenty of potential.
A previous win over Tahmuras at Exeter was very encouraging and it should be remembered that Jonjo O’Neill’s charge finished off last season strongly with a fine Sandown success, so he is worth support in the William Hill Handicap Chase, with a step up in distance only adding to the appeal.
Sire Du Berlais lost momentum with a slow jump four out in the Stayers’ Hurdle and then dropped to the back of the field when hitting a flat spot, so he showed plenty of spirit to rally for fifth place in the circumstances.
Time may be catching up with him at the age of 12 and this could be a case of letting the heart rule the head, but he is backed to continue his love affair with Aintree by completing a JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle hat-trick.