Highland gains?

Lodge is quietly fancied

THE Grand National invariably throws up a good tale and it is hard to believe any horse in this year’s field brings a more compelling narrative to the party than Highland Lodge.

Snapped up for the relatively modest fee of £22,000 by Cartmel-based trainer Jimmy Moffatt prior to the start of last season, the 11-year-old made a flying start for his new connections with a superb victory over the famous Aintree fences in the Becher Chase.

However, that verdict was not enough to earn him a starting berth in the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Compensation in the Scottish National was not forthcoming, with the Flemensfirth gelding seemingly far less effective over conventional obstacles.

But he showed his true colours back on Merseyside when coming within a short-head of successfully defending his Becher crown at the start of December.

Moffatt has kept his powder dry since and with Highland Lodge guaranteed a place in the final field this year, the trainer is struggling to contain his enthusiasm.

He said: “We’ve had an uninterrupted preparation and the horse seems in very good form. I suppose last year we were always in hope, whereas now there is a bit of expectation.

“He missed the final cut by seven last year and it was quite tough to take at the time.

“However, we definitely feel he’s improved since.

“We’ve kept him fresh since the Becher. He doesn’t need to go to the races, he’s one of those horses that thrives on not going there. For a lot of horses mileage is a negative and he’s one of them.”

During the lead-up to Highland Lodge’s ultimately failed attempt to get a run in the National last April, then-owners Simon and Julie Wilson tragically lost their teenage son Patrick from a brain tumour.

It will still be a fitting and emotional tribute to his memory if a long-term plan were to come to fruition, but the horse will now run in different colours following his sale to David and Patricia Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud.

Moffatt will be hoping history can repeat itself, as the Thompsons famously purchased 1992 winner Party Politics in the week of the National. He said: “It’s very exciting to train for Mr and Mrs Thompson.

“Simon and Julie have sold him outright. They have been with me since 2006 and have been wonderfully supportive. They wish Mr and Mrs Thompson all the luck in the world.

“I think the world of him and his back-to-back Becher form looks rock solid. From the moment he missed the cut last year everything has been geared up to going back to Aintree on April 8.

“It’s the hardest race in the world to get into, in my opinion. Even the top Flat races in the world, they’re not usually over-subscribed. Some of the big boys in the game might have a Grand National runner every year, but for a yard like ours with 20-odd horses in training, it’s fantastic.

“We’re not going there thinking ‘it’s great to have a runner’, though. We’re going there a bit above that and see it as a great opportunity.”

The most heartwarming part of the Highland Lodge story is the recovery of his jockey, Henry Brooke.

The 25-year-old was placed in an induced coma following a heavy fall at Hexham in early October and also suffered nine broken ribs and a punctured lung. However, the determined rider made remarkably quick progress to ensure he was back in the saddle for Highland Lodge’s Becher defence.

Brooke admits it was the thought of being reunited with Highland Lodge that kept him going.

“The first thing I thought about after Hexham was whether I could get back to ride this horse,” said the jockey.

“This is what it’s all been about, getting back to ride him.

“The horse loves it round there (Aintree), which is obviously a massive plus.

“I really think Highland Lodge is going to run a massive race, if not win it.”

I think Highland Lodge is going to run a massive race – Henry Brooke