Gingembre on course for Grand National

Gingembre is firmly on course for the Martell Cognac Grand National after pleasing his trainer Lavinia Taylor in a gallop.

The 2001 Gala Group Scottish Grand National hero has been under a cloud since finishing second in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup in November.

But delighted Taylor said: “At last things are going well. He galloped well today and gave the best blood test this week that he’s had all season.”

The trainer revealed that Gingembre worked with stable companion Pepe Galvez, a novice hurdler who has won and been placed twice in his three runs this season.

“He worked very well,” she said. “I’m very relieved. He hasn’t been right for a very long time.”

A copper deficiency is thought to have been the cause of Gingembre’s problems which ruled out a possible tilt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“He’s had a very bad red blood cell count for much of the season,” said the trainer. “But that’s come right now.

“I think he’s a spring horse too so hopefully his problems are behind him.”

However, Gingembre’s participation in the Aintree showpiece still depends on the ground. Taylor said extremes of going do not suit the horse.