Now is the time to be optimistic
ANY Second Now booked his ticket to the Randox Health Grand National in Aintree on April 4 when capturing the Grade 2 What Odds Paddy? Chase in Naas.
Trainer Ted Walsh has used this two-mile event as a stepping stone to Aintree in the past, with Papillon and Seabass.
And Any Second Now gave him cause for optimism ahead of the Aintree showpiece with a gutsy victory over favourite Articulum in this two-mile contest, first leg of a double for owner J P Mcmanus and jockey Mark Walsh.
“He’s a classy enough horse,” stated Ted Walsh. “He travelled and jumped well, although he reached for the last. And Mark was delighted with him.
“We know he stays well and will go to Aintree with a good chance. I’ll be delighted if he runs as well as Seabass. I don’t know whether he’s good enough – time will tell.”
Mark Walsh completed the double for Mcmanus when 8/1 shot Castle Oliver completed a hat-trick of chase wins and defied the handicapper (he was raised 21lb for wins at Fairyhouse and Down Royal) in the Grade B Paddy Power Road To Cheltenham Novice Handicap Chase.
The Padraig Rochetrained grey survived a couple of mistakes along the way before coming through strongly to beat Countess Cathleen.
Roche said: “He loves that ground and stays all day. And he might come back here for the Leinster National (on March 8).”
And Henry de Bromhead saddled Jason The Militant to a shock win in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Betting Shop Novice Hurdle. Ridden by Rachael Blackmore, the 25/1 prevailed by the minimum margin, a nose, over Beacon Edge with favourite Andy Dufresne back in third.