Commander set to bowl ’em over at Aintree
The nine-year-old emerged out from the shadow of Kauto Star and Denman on Friday to enhance his already brilliant record at Prestbury Park.
And as he finished third to Chief Dan George in the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle in 2007, there is no reason to believe he should not run up to form in Liverpool.
“It was a great day, he is 100% and there is no bother on him, we will see what happens but the plan is to bring him up to Aintree to run in the totesport Bowl,” said Twiston-Davies.
“He has always been a good horse and he proved it on Friday.”
Joining him on the wagon will be Champion Hurdle runner-up Khyber Kim, who will step up in trip for the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle on Grand National day.
“Khyber Kim will run in the Aintree Hurdle, he seems to be in good form and if Binocular is there we will take him on again,” said Twiston-Davies.
“It was a great day at Cheltenham, especially with Baby Run winning for Sam (Twiston-Davies) and he will come to Aintree for the Fox Hunters’.”
Meanwhile last year’s winner Mon Mome features among 75 horses remaining in the John Smith’s Grand National following the latest entry stage yesterday.
The 10-year-old landed the Aintree spectacular as a 100-1 shot last season, but will be a fraction of those odds this time having finished a fantastic third in last week’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run is a notable scratching but both Madison du Berlais and Notre Pere remain at the head of the weights with 11st 10lb.
Mon Mome will carry 11st 7lb should those two stand their ground – but trainer Venetia Williams will not be too concerned if the weights rise.
“At the end of the day, it’s only a matter of 3lb, it’s not the be all and end all,” said Williams. “A horse can fall, you are always afraid of getting hampered, you never know what might happen. Three pounds is not a major difference in the great scheme of things.
“His preparation has gone a lot better than it did last year and we have got a blueprint to follow.
“We were all very buoyed by what we saw him do at Cheltenham. It might have been a bit cheeky running in the Gold Cup as a prep race for the National, but there was £50,000 for third place and we were delighted with what he did.”
