Saint Are looking just Grand for National
Saint Are will be carrying the hopes of the West Midlands when he competes in the Grand National tomorrow – and his Staffordshire-based owner reckons things are looking good for the 11-year-old.
David Fox, who runs Cheslyn Hay-based PP Control & Automation, said his horse is looking in fine fettle ahead of the biggest day in the racing calendar tomorrow. Fox saw Saint Are race to second place two years ago and feels he has a chance of going one better this time out – with the weather drying out the famous Aintree course which will suit his horse perfectly.
"He is coming good just at the right time," said Fox, who lives near Rugeley. "He looks in absolutely great nick at the moment – we can tell he is ready because his coat changes from a matt black to a shiny black.
"Right now it's as shiny as a pair of patent leather dancing shoes, he's looking fantastic."
"If this weather keeps up and keeps drying the ground out, it's looking better and better," said Fox, who lives near Rugeley and runs Cheslyn Hay-based PP Control & Automation.
The 11-year-old horse was a 40/1 long shot in the betting last night but Fox is confident those odds will shorten as the race approaches.
"David Russell, the ex-Irish champion jockey is riding him this year and he's really looking forward to it," added Fox.
"We're at 40/1 at the moment so it's well worth an each-way bet but as we all know, in the National, everyone needs a bit of luck.
"It can come down to whether the horse in front of you falls or takes someone else down and gives you a clear run. You just don't know.
"You need so much luck in the National and we had our fair share when we came second a couple of years
ago!"
Fox will be making two trips to Aintree this weekend as he also has Somekindofking running in the 1.45 today.
"We'll be travelling up early on Friday and again on Saturday, fingers crossed we have a good day," he said,
"Saint Are is 11 years old now which is no great age at all for a National runner, in fact there are many who will tell you that is around the best age for a horse in the Grand National, but everything is looking spot on at the minute."
