Jimmy Moffatt admits he will be very nervous should Chief Dan George make the cut for the John Smith’s Grand National. His stable star still needs 17 horses to come out for him to get in the maximum 40-strong field for the world’s greatest steeplechase following the latest acceptance stage.
But Chief Dan George, who was allotted 10st 2lb, advertised his claims for the Aintree spectacular by winning the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham last week. There are no penalties for the National once the weights have been announced – and official handicapper Phil Smith revealed he would give Chief Dan George another 12lb if he had the chance to do the weights again.
“He’s fine and has come out of the race really well,” said Cartmel trainer Moffatt. He’s got a chance of getting and if he gets in great, but if he doesn’t he’ll go for either the Scottish National or the former Whitbread (Bet365 Gold Cup) at Sandown. He’s 12lb well in, so that’s obviously a big help if he does get in the race, but there’s four and a half miles to go and a lot fences to jump. I think he’s in a really good position. I would never swap him for anything and I wouldn’t swap him for anything in that race either. It’s out of our hands. If it’s meant to be so be it, but if it is isn’t we won’t cry about it. He’s done us proud and he’s always been a star. If it happens, it happens, and if it doesn’t there’s always next year. It will be good to get in, but it probably wouldn’t be good for the nerves if he does.”
Chief Dan George is a top-priced 33-1 for the Grand National on April 10.
Best Price for The Grand National 2010…
