Hurdling come back for Clan
Connections have chosen the extended two and a half mile contest as the ideal starting point for the 11-year-old, who could once again be aimed at the John Smith’s Grand National.
Jonjo O’Neill’s charge finished runner-up to Amberleigh House in 2004 and was third to Numbersixvalverde this year, while 2005 saw him carried out at Becher’s second time when leading the field.
Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J P McManus, said: “The plan is for him to run at Wetherby. Jonjo is happy with his progress and the horse is in good form. He has come back well after his summer break.
“He got quite a nasty cut underneath his tummy in the National and it took a while to heal, but he had a good holiday and looks well.”
Despite having never won the National, Clan Royal has endeared himself to Aintree racegoers with successes in the 2003 Topham Trophy and the same year’s Becher Chase. The latter contest could be on the agenda again on November 19. If so it would be a change of approach by connections as all of Clan Royal’s runs in the build-up to the last two Nationals have been over hurdles.
Berry added: “Providing he comes out of the race on Saturday OK, then he would most likely go for the Becher Chase at Aintree.
“He’s not getting any younger but we’d like to think that we could go down the National road again with him.”
Clan Royal is 20-1 co-third favourite for the Aintree spectacular with Ladbrokes, who make 2005 hero Hedgehunter the 12-1 market leader.
