Weather to play part in Shotgun Paddy decision

Emma Lavelle will keep a close eye on the long-term weather forecast before making a decision on whether Shotgun Paddy will line up in the Crabbie’s Grand National next month.

Shotgun Paddy was a fine second to Rocking Blues in the Eider Chase at Newcastle last month and was third in the Welsh National at Chepstow prior to that.

A standing dish in long-distance handicap chases, Shotgun Paddy was fourth in the Terry Biddlecombe National Hunt Chase for Amatuer Riders at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014, but bypassed last year’s Festival meeting and it set to do so again.