Ballyholland aiming for big time

Colin McBratney has an ambitious campaign in mind for Ballyholland following the eight-year-old’s triumph in the Galway Plate.

The John Smith’s Grand National, the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the James Nicholson Champion Chase are all under consideration after Ballyholland gave the County Down trainer his biggest success by far.

He turned the valuable handicap chase into a procession when romping home by eight lengths from Knock On The Head.

The Tiraaz gelding is now enjoying a short holiday before picking up the thread again, starting with a bid for back-to-back victories in the Le Grande Chase over two and a half miles at Navan next month.

“He’s in great form, not a bother at all. He’ll have two to three weeks off then he’ll go for a conditions race in Navan which he won last year. That will be his next port of call,” said McBratney.

“We’re certainly going to make an entry for the Grand National when it comes round, but we’ll have to see whether we go for the Paddy Power in November or the James Nicholson Chase.

“We have big plans and we have to aim high now.

“He’s still only a second-season novice as well so there’s plenty to look forward to.

“The Plate is a very competitive race and he won it so well. He’s gone up to a rating of 145, so he’s going to have to play with the big boys.”