Gordon Elliott embarks on his annual pilgrimage across the Atlantic where he will attempt to retain his American Grand National crown.
Zanahiyr's victory last year made it two wins in the race for Cullentra after Jury Duty in 2018 and the former will be joined by a stablemate at Far Hills this weekend for a hat-trick bid.
Hewick very famously won this for Shark Hanlon before landing the King George, with plenty of trainers of the UK & Ireland having a crack Stateside, including Nicky Henderson, who saddled Brain Power to success in the late 2010s.
Western Fold is sent on a US mission for Elliott this year and, given his exploits in Graded company last season, he could prove very difficult to beat. He followed up a win in the Galway Plate with a Grade 2 at Gowran Park, before running Kaid d'Authie fairly close at the Dublin Racing Festival. Disappointing efforts at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse were made a distant memory when he stormed away with the Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival in April.
Ground conditions have been fairly important to his chances all through his career and a quick surface at Far Hills would be bang up his street.
As previously mentioned, Zanahiyr got his nose in front in this contest last season and is back for a repeat bid. Highly-tried and well travelled throughout his distinguished career, he made his way to America for the Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes in May where he finished seventh.
Finishing ahead of Zanahiyr in first at Percy Warner Park was Zabeel Champion, who re-opposes here. 104-rated on the Flat when trained by Mark Johnston, he went on to have an underwhelming career over Jumps with Jonjo O'Neill Jr before joining the Jack Fisher operation. He has been very consistent in races of this type and is expected to go well again for a yard that has won this on several occasions.
Fil Dor, no longer with Elliott, also takes his chance for new trainer Richard J Hendriks. A Triumph Hurdle runner-up all the way back in 2022, he finished fifth in the American Grand National when still housed in Ireland last season. Subsequent success in South Carolina and Saratoga has seen him feature fairly prominently in the betting heading into the weekend.
American Grand National confirmed runners
- Ziggle Pops
- Fil Dor
- Mr Percy
- James Du Berlais
- Western Fold
- Zabeel Champion
- Zanahiyr
- Boldog
American Grand National betting odds
Western Fold - 11/10
Zanahiyr - 11/4
Zabeel Champion - 6/1
Mr Percy - 9/1
Fil Dor - 12/1
James Du Berlais - 20/1
Boldog - 28/1
Ziggle Pops - 33/1
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
