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Fragile Beshabar has 2014 Grand National Target
16/07/13

Fans of the 2011 Scottish Grand National hero, Beshabar, will be hoping that 2014 is a luckier year than the previous two for the talented stayer who has been plagued by injuries since his finest hour.

Beshabar
© Grossick Racing Photography

Trained by Tim Vaughan, Beshabar has been a strong betting tip for the last two Grand Nationals but on both occasions has failed to make it to the starting tapes after suffering injuries that ruled him out of contention for ‘the world’s greatest steeplechase’.

Connections are hoping that their racing fortunes will change and that the 11-year-old will at last have his chance to shine in the 2014 John Smith’s Grand National.

Leg problems have proved the bane of Beshabar’s life for the last two years but Vaughan and the owners of the gelded son of Flemensfirth, Middleham Park Racing, retain all their faith in their charge who lit up the staying scene three years ago and looked one of the most progressive horses in training.

Still with relatively few miles on the clock for a horse of his age, Beshabar was twice a winner in Grade 3 company over hurdles for his previous handler, (former champion trainer Paul Nicholls), before turning his attention to the larger obstacles and quickly making a big impression.

On only his third outing, Vaughan’s charge ran a tremendous race at betting odds of 9/1 when losing out close home in the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2011.

Six weeks later connections hit the jackpot when Beshabar (15/2) got the better of a ding-dong finish to the Coral Scottish National, scoring by three-quarters-of-a-length from race specialist Merigo. He remains one of the strongest ante-post betting tips for the 2014 Grand National, currently being priced up at odds of around 25/1.