The Grand National Steeplechase is now on the radar for Andy Win after his hard-fought victory at Sandown.
Andy Win, the gelding, secured the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown on Sunday and has met the necessary qualifications for the larger jumps.
Trainer Shane Jackson indicated that if Andy Win recovers well from his Sunday success, he will be aimed at the $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on August 16, which features an all-jumps program.
Under jockey Tom Ryan, Andy Win, sent off at $3, won by 1-¼ lengths from Ardakan ($5.50). Embezzler ($10) finished a distant third, a further 13 lengths behind.
Jackson suggested that Andy Win’s qualification for the bigger jumps at Coleraine on July 20 might have contributed to the horse’s initial hesitation over some fences during the race.
“We’ll let the horse tell us, but that was the plan coming here,” Jackson said about 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 applauded Tom Ryan’s efforts, stating that few other jockeys could have achieved the win.
“I don’t think there’s any jockey, apart from Tom Ryan that would have won on him today,” Jackson said.
“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 victory marks Jackson’s second Grand National Hurdle win, following Highland Blaze’s success last year.
Highland Blaze had been on track to return to Sandown but sustained a suspensory injury during a narrow 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.”
Given Andy Win’s potential for the Grand National Steeplechase, exploring online bookmakers for early racing odds could be beneficial.
