Horse Racing: Marston takes moral stance

Warren Marston is out to win another big prize over fences when he rides Moral Support in the Singer & Friedlander National Trial at Uttoxeter today.

The freelance rider has already enjoyed high-profile successes in two key Martell Grand National trials this season, scoring on Amberleigh House in the Becher Chase at Aintree and on The Last Fling in the Tote Warwickshire Gold Cup last month.

Both horses now have the National as their main targets this season and the Charlie Mann-trained Moral Support could join them provided all goes well in the £70,000 (€115,000) race.

With the ground sure to be extremely testing, the three and a half miles will take some getting but Marston is confident that he has the right horse for the job.

‘‘I went down to school Moral Support on Thursday morning and he seemed in great shape,’’ the rider reported.

‘‘They tell me he’s been working very well and Charlie is looking forward to the horse getting his ground for the first time this season.

‘‘He is quite a careful jumper and I think he should give me a very good ride.’’