Mullins harbours National dream
Tom Mullins believes John Smith’s Grand National candidate Chelsea Harbour ticks all the right boxes for Saturday’s Aintree spectacular.
The eight-year-old was a smart novice last term and won a Grand National trial at Punchestown in February.
He will also have the assistance of Davy Russell, currently involved in a titanic struggle with Ruby Walsh for the jockeys’ championship in Ireland, in the saddle.
Mullins said: “He’s won on all types of ground but I suppose his best wins have come on terrible ground.
“He won over hurdles on good ground though.
“It was a decent enough effort last time (fourth). The ground had changed and we knew it was going to be a fast pace and Davy wanted to sit him in a bit more.
“He came through them well in the end and came out of it very well.
“Some people think he might jump better on better ground and I wouldn’t disagree with them either.
“We’ve ticked all the boxes up to now and hopefully nothing happens between here and Saturday.”
Willie Mullins is delighted Paul Nicholls failed in his attempt to lure Walsh away from National specialist Hedgehunter for Turko.
The 2005 winner, who was second a year later and ninth 12 months ago, ran a pleasing race behind Afistfullofdollars last time, finishing in front of stablemate Snowy Morning.
“I thought he (Walsh) might ride the other horse (Snowy Morning) but he’s elected to ride Hedgehunter,” said Mullins.
“I’m happy as Ruby knows him very well and hopefully it will be a good result.
“I think he is coming back to himself and he appears in good form, he worked this morning and Ruby came to ride him.
“He loves the track and if it keeps drying that will be in his favour, if it rains that will probably favour horses with lighter weights.
“I probably ran Snowy Morning too soon after the Hennessy in Ireland,” Mullins told At The Races.
“Hedgehunter loves Aintree and hopefully he doesn’t get brought down. If he doesn’t, I think he is really coming to himself and he should be there or thereabouts turning for home.
“It’s a big ask for Snowy Morning because he is really a second-season novice with very little preparation for Aintree because we decided to mind his handicap mark for this race.
“We’ve got the weight concession, but we probably lack a little in experience.”
With Walsh confirmed for Hedgehunter, Nicholls snapped up the services of Richard Johnson for Turko.
“I’m delighted to get the ride,” said Johnson.
“Ruby had so many options and it gives a few of us the chance to pick up a nice spare. Obviously I’m really looking forward to it.”
The slight confusion over Timmy Murphy’s intended mount has been cleared up with David Johnson’s retained rider plumping for second-favourite Comply Or Die.
The nine-year-old will be one of five runners for David Pipe, whose father was successful with Miinnehoma in 1994.
Pipe’s website reported: “Timmy Murphy has just phoned us to confirm that he will be riding Comply Or Die in this year’s Grand National.
“Vodka Bleu will be ridden by Paul Moloney and Tom Malone will ride Milan Deux Mille. Tom Scudamore will ride Madison Du Berlais and Johnny Farrelly will ride Joaaci.”
Tony Dobbin has picked up the spare ride on former Irish Grand National winner Point Barrow, who fell at the first 12 months ago when an 8-1 co-favourite.
“I got a phonecall from Ireland yesterday, saying the horse was going spare if I was interested,” said Dobbin.
“He’s a spring horse, I’ve heard good vibes about him and hopefully he’ll give me a good ride.”
Nadover is also set to take his chance having being taken out of the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales.
“Nadover was withdrawn from the sale at Doncaster but is a definite starter in the National on Saturday,” said trainer Charlie Mann.
John Smith’s Grand National
Coral bet: 11-2 Cloudy Lane, 10-1 Slim Pickings, Comply Or Die, 11-1 Simon, 14-1 Bewleys Berry, Chelsea Harbour, 16-1 Butler’s Cabin, Hedgehunter, Mr Pointment, King Johns Castle, 20-1 Dun Doire, McKelvey, Point Barrow, Snowy Morning, 25-1 D’Argent, Joes Edge, L’Ami, Mon Mome, Philson Run, 33-1 Bar
