Mome cuts the mustard for Coleman
The Venetia Williams-trained 10-year-old shocked the racing world when landing the Aintree showpiece at 100-1 last year but is a fraction of those odds 12 months on, having finished third in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Coleman, Williams’ stable jockey, passed up the ride 12 months ago to partner stablemate Stan – and it looked as though he may miss out again when suffering a crunching fall at Aintree on Thursday.
The Innishannon, Co Cork man was given the go-ahead by the doctor yesterday, however, and is now looking forward to the big race.
“The doctor was very happy and he thought I would be a lot worse than I actually am, but he said it’s fine and I’m fit to ride,” said Coleman.
“It is a fantastic ride and not many horses manage to be placed in a Gold Cup and also win a National.
“You would have to say he has improved as he was beaten 50-odd lengths in the Midlands National last year as his prep run, and this time he has finished third in a Gold Cup.
“He does have more weight, but he couldn’t be in better form and I just hope we get a clear run and stay out of trouble.”
The McCain name has become synonymous with the National thanks to the exploits of three-time winner Red Rum and latterly Amberleigh House. This season the family are again represented by Cloudy Lane, having his third try in the race.
“He really seems in great nick,” said Donald McCain.
“His last couple of runs have been very solid but everything has been geared around Aintree this year. I really couldn’t be happier with him and I think he’s a massive price.”
There is a often a compelling story behind the winner of the Grand National, but Dream Alliance’s tale would take some beating if he were to strike gold on Merseyside.
The Philip Hobbs-trained nine-year-old was set for an early retirement after he sustained a tendon injury at Aintree in April 2008. But, following pioneering stem-cell surgery, Dream Alliance performed a Lazarus-like comeback to win this season’s Welsh Grand National. Hobbs’ gelding is owned by the Alliance Partnership, a 22-strong syndicate which was formed by a group of members from a Gwent Valleys social club.
Dream Alliance’s return to the big time has also aroused the interest of Hollywood, with connections having signed a one-year exclusivity deal with a Los Angeles-based film company.
“It would obviously be a fairytale for the owners, and the horse seems in very good form,” said Hobbs.
Owner David Johnson believes ground conditions should be ideal for his two David Pipe-trained contenders, 2008 winner Comply Or Die and young pretender The Package.
Timmy Murphy sticks with the former, who was also second last year, while Grand National winner Graham Lee looks a perfect booking for The Package.
Johnson said: “Comply Or Die looks a million dollars and all roads have led to Aintree all year, so he’s had a light campaign.
“The Package is the new kid on the block – you have to go back to the 1940s since a seven-year-old won – but the record is there to be broken.”
With the ground coming in his favour, hopes are high in the Evan Williams camp for another bold showing from State Of Play.
Williams said: “As long as the ground is good to soft we’ve got no worries.”
Tony McCoy, without a National win in 14 attempts, tries this time with the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Don’t Push It.
The Jackdaws Castle trainer, who has never won the National, also saddles Can’t Buy Time.
O’Neill said: “I’d like to think Can’t Buy Time and Don’t Push It will put in a good show.”
Paul Carberry was successful on Bobbyjo in 1999 and this year partners King Johns Castle, runner-up two years ago, for Arthur Moore.
Carberry said: “He feels back to what he was. He’s had a good preparation.”
