Sport

Connections feel Seabass will be stronger for his second attempt

Connections of Seabass believe he will be a “stronger horse” when the he has a second crack at the John Smith’s Grand National…

Katie Walsh on Seabass on her way to becoming the first female jockey to be placed in the Aintree Grand National last year. photograph: getty images
Katie Walsh on Seabass on her way to becoming the first female jockey to be placed in the Aintree Grand National last year. photograph: getty images
Wed Feb 27 2013 - 00:00

Connections of Seabass believe he will be a “stronger horse” when the he has a second crack at the John Smith’s Grand National in April.

Pat Glynn, who bought the horse as a foal and heads the Gunners Syndicate that owns the 10-year-old, feels he is physically tougher than last season when he was third behind Neptune Collonges in the Aintree showpiece.

Seabass, trained by Ted Walsh, has also had a lighter campaign than last term and was having just his second run of the winter when third to Roi Du Mee in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

“We’re very happy with him, he’s 100 per cent. That was his last run before Aintree,” said Glynn.

READ MORE

“He’s a year older and a stronger horse this year. He had five runs before he went to Aintree last year and he’s just had two this year. We’ve just got the one big target, but you do need a bit of luck at Aintree.

Last year we thought he peaked a bit too soon, but he did run a good race. It’s a pity the race wasn’t in February when he was in top form because he’d run in November, December and January as well as February.”

The trainer’s daughter, Katie Walsh, became the first female jockey to be placed in the National when riding Seabass last year.

First choice

She could again in the plate this time, although her brother, Ruby, will have first choice and he has other possible mounts including On His Own and Prince De Beauchene for trainer Willie Mullins.

Oscar Time is likely to have one more run before having another crack at the big race. Trainer Martin Lynch will choose between the Leinster National (3m) at Naas on March 10th and the Daily Mirror Chase (3m2f) at Down Royal six days later.

The 12-year-old, carrying the Long Run colours of owner Robert Waley-Cohen, was second to Ballabriggs in the Aintree spectacular in 2011 but was forced to miss last April’s race through injury.

He continued his build-up for a second attempt this season in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse and though he was last of six to Roi Du Mee, Lynch was satisfied with the performance. “He’s 100 per cent. He ran nicely and jumped nicely up to the third-last.”