Connections of Eclair Surf and Fortescue face an anxious wait to see if they will make the cut for next week’s Randox Grand National.
The pair are currently 46th and 47th on the list of 77 entries for the world’s greatest steeplechase with a maximum 40 going to post a week on Saturday.
Both horses were initialy also entered in this Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr but were taken out of the race at the 48-hour declaration stage as connections wait and hope they will make the cut at Aintree Racecourse next week.
Emma Lavelle’s Eclair Surf ran out a fine winner of the Agetur Ltd Classic Chase at Warwick in January before finishing second to the Christian Williams-trained Win My Wings – who is 7-1 second favourite behind stable-mate Kitty’s Light for Saturday’s Scottish National – in the marathon Eider Chase at Newcastle the following month.
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The eight-year-old looks tailor-made for the Grand National based on those efforts in similar staying contests and is currently a 33-1 chance with most bookmakers behind the general 9-1 joint favourites, the Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now – who was third last year – and Gordon Elliott’s Cheltenham Festival winner Delta Work.
Eclair Surf is also 4lb ‘well-in’ in the handicap after that effort in the Eider saw the handicapper raise his rating.
But because the National weights don’t rise after being unveiled in February, he can run off a 4lb lower mark than his official rating if he makes the cut at next Thursday morning’s final declaration stage.
The Henry Daly-trained Fortescue is also 4lb well-in following his length-and-a-half success over fellow National entrant Fiddlerontheroof in the Listed greatbritishstallionshow.co.uk Swinley Chase at Ascot over three miles at the end of February.
The eight-year-old, who was also third to dual winner Royale Pagaille and Sam Brown in the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park in January, is a best-priced 50-1 with Betway.
Jockey Hugh Nugent is hoping to partner Fortescue, who runs in his grandfather Tim Nixon’s colours, at Aintree.
The 27-year-old will make his Grand National debut and is praying Daly’s charge just sneaks into the final line-up.
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Nugent, who is based at Grand National-winning trainer Venetia Williams’ Aramstone stable in Herefordshire, said: “At the moment we might not get in and I’m just thinking what will be, will be.
“When you look back at the race a horse rated 143 would have got in a few years ago. I suppose you have to say that the profile of the race has been raised but unfortunately that doesn’t help us. I’m taking it as it comes. If it happens the fact that I could be riding in the National is something to remember in itself, but it would be extra special if it happens on Fortescue.
“My granddad has had some okay horses over the years but this is a dream that everyone has to have a runner in the Grand National, but you are never quite sure if it is going to happen. It would be quite something if it did happen.
“My granddad never worked in racing himself, but he had horses when my mum was growing up and for as long as I’ve been alive and longer he has bred his own.
“He used to have them with Captain Tim Forster, who by all accounts was a bit of a character, then when he passed away, he had them with Henry Daly.
“I’m happy to ride any winner for him as it does mean a little bit more, but this is a bit more special and it would be a bit of a fairytale.”
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The next declaration stage for the Grand National in on Monday, when more entries – connections of Eclair Surf and Fortescue – may come out.
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