The Big Dog has quietly built up an impressive resumé as he heads to Aintree under the radar for his Irish connections.
Trained by Peter Fahey in Monasterevin, County Kildare, the 10-year-old has won a Grand National trial, two of the most competitive handicap chases in Ireland, finished third in the Welsh National and was in front of Galopin Des Champs when falling two out in the Irish Gold Cup.
That he tipped up when still going well adds to the intrigue. Had he stood up and finished a respectable third or fourth to subsequent Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, everyone would know just where he stood in the pecking order.
