Iain Jardine is hoping that Cool Mix can provide him with his first ever win in the Scottish Grand National, providing that the likeable grey can get a run in the marathon contest at Ayr on 2nd April.
The ten-year-old, who runs in the distinctive black and white silks of Dave Armstrong, is 20/1 to score in the race in which he finished fifth off a 6lb higher mark behind Mighty Thunder last year.
Cool Mix running well
The veteran has run well on his four starts since, finishing in the first four in competitive handicaps at Cheltenham, Newcastle, Doncaster and Musselburgh but could be seen to best effect over further on quick ground, according to his Dumfries-based trainer.
Although the four-mile trip, which is usually run at a fast gallop, represents a markedly different sort of test to Cool Mix's sole course win at Ayr which came in a 2m4½f handicap hurdle on this card in 2018, a feather weight could aid his cause.
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At number 47 in the weights, Cool Mix needs luck to get a run but it is not out of the question with a plethora of rival horses also entered in the Grand National at Aintree seven days later.
Fingers crossed for Saturday
Jardine said: "He's a funny horse as he doesn't seem to get three miles on softish ground but on good he got the four miles at Ayr.
"He's been working well and he's been enjoying the good weather and drier ground. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he gets in on Saturday.
"He'd be a little bit out of the handicap but that doesn't really bother me. He's fresh and well and this is his time of year. Good ground is the key to him."
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