Wait on the weight

WEIGHT looks to be the main opponent as Bashboy attempts to become the first horse to win the $250,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500 metres) on the Lakeside track at Sportingbet Park, Sandown on Sunday, July 27 three times.
First run in 1866, this will be the 148th running of Australia’s premier jumping event. Seven horses, including Bashboy, have won two in a row and two others have won twice but not in successive years.
Trebles are nothing new for Bashboy as he won his third straight $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (3900 metres) at the same venue on July 13, the race he has won on his way to the Grand National wins in 2012 and 2013.
The reigning two-time Australian Jumper of the Year, Bashboy jumped superbly as he raced on the speed alongside Maythehorsebemagic and raced away in the straight to win by eight lengths from Half Moon Rising with Maythehorsebemagic a further 4.3 lengths away third.
Being a set weights with penalties event the Crisp Steeple saw Bashboy carry 69kg, conceding 1kg to Maythehorsebemagic and just 5kg to the bottom weights, including runner-up Half Moon Rising.
“Bring on the National, he’s going to be up against it with the weight but I’m certainly happy to be on him,” jockey Steve Pateman said.
“Now he’s in his third season steeplechasing he’s pretty good and doesn’t make too many mistakes,” trainer Ciaron Maher said.
“This whole preparation has been the best he’s come up, it’s been the best he’s looked and his flat form reflected that and now his jumps form is backing that up as well.”
With Bashboy likely to get a hefty impost it will bring Half Moon Rising, Maythehorsebemagic, Krase and Grand National Hurdle winner, Sea King into the race as was shown when Gotta Take Care found his 71kg too much in the Grand National Hurdle on 13 July. Bashboy, however, is no stranger to big weights having carried 72.5kg to win last year’s Grand National Steeple and 74.5kg to win the 2013 Australian Steeplechase, conceding 10.5kg to Maythehorsebemagic.
The Grand National will be well supported by the $100,000 J.J. Houlahan Hurdle (3400 metres) on Sunday, 27 July which is sure to attract a very strong field of hurdlers.
Course admission on Sunday, July 27, is $10 for adults, $5 concession and children under 18 accompanied by an adult are admitted free.
Attractive dining packages are also available and bookings can be made by phoning 9257 7100.