Royal Shakespeare to step up to Grade Two

Trainer Steve Gollings will step his promising youngster Royal Shakespeare up to Grade Two company at the Grand National meeting.

But whether the five-year-old goes for the Martell Cognac Makro Mersey Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles on the opening day, or waits for the Premier Convenience Stores Top Novices’ Hurdle over extended two miles on Friday, has yet to be decided.

“We’ll see how things pan out during the week but he’ll definitely be going somewhere,” said Gollings.

“He’s in great form and the ground won’t really matter to him as long as it’s not fast, which I don’t think it will be.

“I think they are saying it might rain towards the later part of the week and it won’t inconvenience him if it does.”

Royal Shakespeare is unbeaten in two runs over hurdles, beating Mobasher by seven lengths at Sedgefield in February before following up with a three-length call over the same horse at Doncaster earlier this month.

“He’ll have come on a lot experience-wise for those two runs. He’s got a lot to learn but he’s getting there,” added Gollings. “He’s got plenty of pace but he gets two and a half miles and he’s quite versatile.

“Robert Thornton will probably take the ride at Aintree in either race.”