Grand National Lucky Dip

Ballabriggs took a while to find his feet over fences but once he got the hang of things has gone from strength to strength winning a hat-trick of races in 2010, including the Kim Muir and, of course, following that up with a brilliant success in last year's Grand National. Was campaigned over hurdles in the early part of the 10/11 season to maintain a good handicap mark but that didn't stop him winning two novice hurdles. Came back over fences at Kelso after the publication of the Grand National weights to finish second to the improving Skippers Brig. Connections were very happy with his run at Kelso although it didn't please all viewers and was presumably the reason he went from ante-post favourite for the Grand National to being available at 20/1 in the run-up to the race. Any doubts were obviously misplaced as, given a very positive ride from Jason Maguire, he led from the third fence and despite being headed with six to jump, fought on bravely to see off the field by over two lengths. As with every Grand National winner there inevitably comes plenty of hype regarding his chances of winning the race again but this is proving so difficult to do in the modern era especially as Ballabriggs official handicap mark has gone up a hefty ten pounds. Compare this to impressive 2010 winner Don't Push It being raised only seven pounds for his win and it would seem that Ballabriggs will have his hands full to try and pull off an Aintree double.

Horse Age: 11
Trainer: Donald McCain
Jockey:
Horse Star Sign: Taurus
Horse Trained at: England - North West
Jockey Silks Colour: Yellow