Grand National News |
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Teaforthree Can Get Welsh Party Started |
On Saturday April 5, Teaforthree will attempt to become first Welsh trained winner of the Crabbie's Grand National since Kirkland in 1905.
Third, beaten nine and a quarters lengths by Auroras Encore, in last year's Aintree showpiece, he is set to line up off a mark 2lb lower this year and is currently the 10/1 favourite with Coral.
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He jumped well that day, racing up with the pace throughout, leading at the second last, before being headed at the final fence and being unable to find a change of gear on the run-in.
Trained in Pembrokeshire by Rebecca Curtis, he ran really well when runner-up to Restless Harry over an inadequate 3m at Ascot and then shaped well for a long way when coming home eighth in then Cheltenham Gold Cup where he ran better than the 21 lengths he was beaten suggests.
That was just his third run this season in a campaign which has solely been geared around the National, and he looks to have been brought along to perfection to peak on the big day.
The son of Oscar also has some excellent form to his name in previous seasons which suggest he is a worthy market leader for Grand National 2014.
He showed he was all about stamina when successful in the 4m 2012 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, and ran a blinder when a 1/2 length runner-up to Monbeg Dude in the 2012 Welsh National over 3m 6f at Chepstow.
The Michael Scudamore-trained winner was receiving 16lb that day, and Teaforthree is set to meet that rival on 13lb better terms at Aintree.
That should be enough to see him turn the tables, and he looks to have a lovely racing weight of 10st 12lb.
He will once again be partnered in the 4m 4f marathon test by Nick Scholfield, who gave him such a superb ride in the race 12 months ago.
He has had just five rides in the race so far, and managed to complete on three occasions.
