Dino Boy looking to claim his second National of the season
Dino Boy is bidding to add another ‘National’ to his portfolio in the feature race on the opening card of the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend at Musselburgh today.
Having landed December’s Scottish Borders National at Kelso, Iain Jardine’s Dumfriesshire raider faces 11 rivals in the £30,000 Edinburgh National which, at nearly 4m 1f, is the longest race staged all year in Scotland.
Jardine, who also saddles The Delray Monkey, said: “He was left clear at the last at Kelso when his nearest challenger unseated his jockey but I think hewouldhavewonanyway.he had the upper hand and won pretty well in the end.
“We have a slight concern about him going right-handed as he can jump a wee bit to the left but I’d say he is definitely on the up.
"His preparation has been interrupted a little due to the weather but it’s been the same for everyone and he should run pretty well again.
“The Delray Monkey got stuck in the mud at Wetherby over Christmas and the ground along with the track and trip should suit her.”
Sandy Thomson, whose Duc
De Grissay unseated Ryan Mania when upsides Dino Boy, runs The Ferry Master, a lightly-raced chaser on a hat-trick following wins at Kelso and Newcastle in November.
And last year’s short-head scorer Bob Mahler, trained in Lambourn by Warren Greatrex, is also in the line-up but has pulled up on all three runs this term.
Paul Nicholls enjoyed a Bryony Frost-ridden treble on the corresponding fixture last February and the 11-time champion trainer will be fancying the chances of Christopher Wood in the bet365 Scottish County Hurdle.
Stable amateur Angus Chelda will be having only his third spin at Musselburgh on a horse with course and distance winning form just under a year ago.
Meanwhile, Messire Des Obeaux can claim Grade One glory in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown.
Alanking'schargehackedup in two reasonable events at Wincanton and while this is another leap, Messire Des Obeaux can rise to the challenge.