Aspell can Nudge it at Chepstow
FLIPPERS and a snorkel may be more appropriate than a whip and bridle today but FINAL NUDGE (Chepstow, nap, 2.50) can make light of gruelling conditions in the Coral Welsh National.
The Welsh venue must pass an inspection this morning to determine whether racing can go ahead and connections of the selection will swap a rain dance for a prayer mat given their gelding’s ability to cope with heavy ground.
Final Nudge was desperately unlucky not to land a Midlands National back in March when crashing out late on, but he can gain compensation this afternoon.
Leighton Aspell has made a habit of winning Nationals in recent seasons and the wily veteran can add another to his impressive list.
Victories for Pineau De Re and Many Clouds in the Grand National have superseded two wins in today’s marathon event back in 2001 and 2005, and Kildare pilot Aspell (right) appears to be more than capable of bolstering her CV with another impressive ride.
The David Dennis-trained eight-year-old has been prepared with a tilt at the Coral Scottish National in April in mind and the attritional nature of today’s race — should it pass an inspection — will really appeal to a horse with limitless reserves of stamina.
A fall four fences from home denied the selection victory in the Midlands National last March before he subsequently ran creditably on ground perceived to be too quick to be beaten just 12 lengths in a Grade 2 novices’ chase at Ayr. His comeback performance at Wincanton behind a resurgent Present Man yielded an agonisingly narrow defeat, but the plus side was it also confirmed Final Nudge has a decent prize in him now he tackles races of today’s nature. The handicapper had his say, raising the Midlands raider 6lb for that fine comeback, but he looks to have improved again this summer judging by the manner in which he travelled and jumped through a truly run handicap. There looks more to come from the gelding when presented by a test like today. Chepstow specialist Rock The Kasbah went close to being the No 1 pick but his stable are a little quiet at present so Final Nudge, whose yard won the Lincolnshire National yesterday with Cyclop, gains the vote. Connections of COURT FRONTIER (Chepstow, nb, 1.35) will also be hoping the meeting goes ahead as conditions will be perfect for him to go close in the staying handicap hurdle.