Sandown option for Davids Lad

Trainer Tony Martin has not ruled out sending Davids Lad to Sandown for the attheraces Gold Cup on Saturday week.

Davids Lad, a leading fancy for Monday’s Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National, won the Fairyhouse marathon two years ago with 10st but could be saddled with top weight this time.

“I was thinking of maybe running him in the Sandown race, the attheraces Gold Cup,” the Irish trainer said.

“If I could get away with under 11st in the attheraces I could go there.

“It’s looking like he could have top weight at Fairyhouse. There’s only one above him, Rince Ri, and he may not run if the ground is fast.

“I think they’ll do very well to have it better than good. They’ll have to do a real good job with the watering to leave it good.

“Davids Lad is a big, heavy horse and he wouldn’t want it firm. If it was firm he wouldn’t go. He’s got top-heavy limbs and you’d break him down.”