Six Nationals on Oulaghan’s radar

Mark Oulaghan is taking a neutral approach in assessing whether he has the firepower to win Saturday’s Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton for a sixth time.

The Awapuni trainer made it five wins in the iconic jumping feature when Upper Cut won last year’s race. The 11-year-old Yamanin Vital gelding returns to defend his crown in the great race on Saturday, along with lessheralded stablemate Paddy Owen.

‘‘It would be good to make it six, but I just don’t know,’’ Oulaghan said. ‘‘There’s one or two handy horses in there and I think you have to judge it on the Koral [Steeples] from Saturday. The winner [The Big Opal], if he can do another round, is going to be hard to beat.

‘‘He didn’t last year, but he looks a stronger horse this year. And the two South Island horses [Kina Win and High Forty] both went good races the other day [for second and sixth].’’

Upper Cut finished fourth in the Koral, beaten 20 lengths, but that was his first steeplechase since his Grand National win last year and Oulaghan was pleased with the effort.

‘‘He comes to it quickly which is a plus and that run would have brought him on a bit. Whether it’s brought him on enough, I guess we’ll find out on Saturday.’’

Upper Cut’s win last year made Oulaghan the most successful trainer in the race’s history, overtaking Ken Browne and Brian Anderton, with both producing the winner on four occasions. Anderton could level the score if High Forty can win on Saturday.

Oulaghan’s previous wins were with Deecee Seven in 1997 and 1998 and Counter Punch in 2010 and 2011.