Andy Win is now being considered for the Grand National Steeplechase following his hard-fought win at Sandown.
The gelding, Andy Win, claimed the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown on Sunday and has met the qualification criteria for the more demanding steeplechase event.
The $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) is scheduled for the all-jumps program at Ballarat on August 16. Trainer Shane Jackson indicated that if Andy Win recovers well from his Sunday triumph, he will participate.
Guided by jockey Tom Ryan, Andy Win, who started at $3, secured a win by 1-¼ lengths over Ardakan ($5.50). Embezzler ($10) finished a distant third, a further 13 lengths behind.
Andy Win had previously qualified for the larger jumps races at Coleraine on July 20, a fact Jackson suggested might have led to the horse’s initial tentativeness during Sunday’s race.
“We’ll let the horse tell us, but that was the plan coming here,” Jackson stated regarding the potential start at Ballarat.
“We ran today with the option of the Grand National Steeplechase at the end of the season.”
“That’s why he had a trial over them and that’s why he probably jumped a few like fences early on in the race, he jumped them a bit careful.”
“After jumping two flights, I thought we were in trouble.”
“He wasn’t travelling at all and he’s had a long hard season, but I do believe if the track was softer, and a slower tempo, he would be more comfortable.”
“I’m glad we’ve qualified him over fences because, the slower tempo in a steeplechase might be right up his alley.”
Jackson commended Ryan’s performance in guiding Andy Win to victory.
“I don’t think there’s any jockey, apart from Tom Ryan that would have won on him today,” Jackson remarked.
“He looked gone up the back and he had to keep him up to the job.”
“Maybe the ground wasn’t quite soft enough for him and there was a lot of speed, but he toughed it out.”
“What a thrill.”
This latest Grand National Hurdle win marks Jackson’s second success in the event, following Highland Blaze’s victory last year.
Highland Blaze was slated to return to Sandown but suffered a suspensory injury during a close defeat at Flemington last month.
“He did a suspensory, but he’ll be back,” Jackson confirmed. “It’s not career ending and we’ve started the rehab process already.”
For those interested in the upcoming Grand National Steeplechase, exploring the Australian betting sites list could provide valuable insights into the available racing odds.