The stable’s focus turns to the obstacles with 2 jumpers involved on Grand National day.
Race 1 – Furioso
Jockey – Will McCarthy
Barrier – 5
Maiden hurdler, Furioso, is expected to improve sharply from a forgetful debut over the jumps, kicking off the day in a 3250-metre hurdle. The five-year-old’s runs on the flat had been encouraging leading into his last start fail at Casterton, and the stable are hoping to recapture that form on his home track today. Jockey Will McCarthy can settle just off the speed today and give his mount every opportunity to be there at the pointy end of the race. Double You Tee for the Payne stable and Port Guillaume for team Hayes boast the superior flat form in the race, but experience over the hurdles can tell late in these races and could be an advantage for the gelded son of Atlante.
From the trainer:
Hopefully he can run up to his flat form prior to Casterton.
He had been strong at the end of all his races.
They’ve got to get over the obstacles and they’ve got to be tougher than they are in flat races, so hopefully Furioso can be that today.
Currently, Furioso is a $15 chance in the market.
Race 5 – Brungle Bertie
Jockey – Lee Horner
Barrier – 3
Brungle Bertie takes a step down in grade today when he contests a 3400-metre steeple chase in race five. While Dwyer would prefer to be in the last race of the day with his seven-year-old jumper, the gelded son of Canford Cliffs strikes a very winnable race here and can end the jumps season on a high. Leading jumps jockey, Lee Horner, will give his mount every opportunity and the stable are confident of a good performance. The market has identified the Maher/Eustace horse, Roland Garros, as the one to beat, but the Dwyer runner finished eleven lengths to the good of the favourite last time they met and appears good value at his current quote.
From the trainer:
3400-metres today – he’s been trained for further so he’ll be strong at the end.
He was a little bit lazy with his jumping last time. Hopefully he sharpens that up today.
It’s a very winnable race…we’re the fittest horse in the race and he’s in good order.
Currently, Brungle Bertie is a $3.80 chance in the market.