National service on agenda for Waley-Cohen

SAM WALEY-COHEN should be able to realise his long-held ambition of riding in the John Smith’s Grand National after achieving the requisite number of winners at a windy Plumpton.

The amateur jockey hopes to partner Liberthine at Aintree, with the mare having narrowly missed the cut last season when the 24-year-old was not qualified to ride despite having won over the National fences.

Victory in the Plumpton Racecourse Mares’ Only Novices’ Hurdle on Shatabdi (4-11 favourite) was considerably easier than a ride in the National as the ex-French mare cantered home by 29 lengths from Persona.