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Meade And Todhunter Consider John Smith’s Grand National Options
22/02/06

Noel Meade and Martin Todhunter are mulling over their options following last week’s publication of the weights for the John Smith’s Grand National, to be run at Aintree on Saturday, April 8.

Champion Irish jump trainer Meade could be double-handed, with Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup hero Sir Oj a possible for the £700,000 showpiece, alongside stablemate and 2004 Cheltenham Gold Cup third Harbour Pilot, while Todhunter is looking forward to running Just In Debt.

Sir Oj, who has been allotted 10st 8lb in the Aintree showpiece, has not been seen since landing the Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup at Cheltenham on December 10, when the nine-year-old produced a storming late burst to collar Le Passing close home.

Meade revealed today: “The plan for Sir Oj is to go for the Racing Post Plate at Cheltenham first. We’ll see how he gets on there and then we’ll consider the John Smith’s Grand National.

“If we decide to go to Aintree, I think he’ll be a live contender. He’s got a lot of class, jumps really well, and Paul Carberry (regular partner) and myself think he will stay - he could be the ideal horse for the National.”

Meade continued: “He hasn’t run since winning the Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup, although he has been entered up elsewhere only for the weather to intervene. He’s in good form though and I’m happy with his allotted weight. Anything other than sticky ground will suit him.”

Also under consideration for the John Smith’s Grand National is Harbour Pilot, who has been asked to carry 11st 1lb by the handicapper.

The 11-year-old, who finished third behind Best Mate in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in both 2003 and 2004, followed a season out through injury with a comeback point-to-point win at Tinahely in January, before running second to General Montcalm in a hunter chase at Leopardstown on February 12.

The Co Meath handler said: “Harbour Pilot will be aimed at the Foxhunters’ at Cheltenham. After that we’ll make up our minds about whether or not he heads for the National.

“He missed most of last season, won a point-to-point comfortably on his return, and then finished a beaten favourite at Leopardstown last time. I was slightly disappointed with that effort although he hadn’t worked that well beforehand, and probably needed it. He’s come on well for the run though and we’ve been very happy with him since.

“The trip shouldn’t be a problem for him - he’s a real stayer - and he handles most ground, although he wouldn’t want it quick. He’s not certain to run however and the Irish National could be a more realistic target.”

Cumbria-based trainer Todhunter, who sent out Kingsmark to finish fourth in the 2002 Grand National, is hoping that the 10st 2lb allotted by BHB handicapper Phil Smith will be enough to see his 10-year-old Just In Debt make the starting line for the third year running in the four and a half mile John Smith’s Grand National.

Todhunter revealed: “He’s definitely on course for the John Smith’s Grand National and I hope to run him in the Borders National at Kelso on March 4. He’ll have at least one prep run, possibly two, and he’s entered in a couple of races at Cheltenham just in case.”

As well as his two Grand National efforts, Just In Debt has twice been in the frame in the totesport Becher Chase over the Grand National course, finishing second to Silver Birch in 2004 and third behind Garvivonnian in November.

Todhunter commented: “The big Aintree fences bring out the best in him and he’s only been beaten a length each time in the totesport Becher Chase. He travelled very well in the John Smith’s Grand National last year but I think my horses weren’t 100 per cent right at the time, either that or he doesn’t stay the extra half mile, because crossing the Melling Road he was cantering.”

Just In Debt finished ninth behind Hedgehunter last term, an improved effort after his troubled passage in 2004 when the gelding was hampered and then unseated Jim Culloty at the 23rd fence. He was last seen in December when sixth to Ivoire De Beaulieu over Cheltenham’s cross-country course.

The Penrith handler reported: “I was happy enough with his last run in the Sporting Index cross-country race, and the plan was always to give him a winter break and start again in the spring.

“The John Smith’s Grand National has always been the target for him and if he stays I’ll be expecting a very good run. He wouldn’t mind the ground coming up quick - the quicker the better for him.”

The John Smith’s Grand National is the highlight of the three-day Aintree Festival that commences on Thursday, April 6.

There are 148 entries for this year’s John Smith’s Grand National, for which the weights were revealed on February 14. The first forfeit stage takes place on Tuesday, February 28.