“Native River & Prosecco” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Carine06
Colin Tizzard stable star Native River could have the world’s most famous steeplechase, the Grand National, as his main British jumps season target after connections revealed the Aintree showpiece was under consideration.
Owned by the Brocade Racing syndicate which is fronted by Garth and Anne Brown, the Indian River gelding will be 10 come April when the extended 4m 2f Grade 3 handicap chase is run annually.
Native River has no previous experience of jumping the unique spruce covered fences on the Grand National course, but has run on the Liverpool venue’s Mildmay track.
Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard indicated the horse is set to make his return to action from a summer break in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase over 3m 1f on Saturday, December 7.
Native River scored on his only previous career start at Aintree back in April 2016 with a three-length success in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase.
That event is over the same course and distance as the race named in honor of Many Clouds – a former Grand National and Hennessy Gold Cup winner.
After landing the blue riband event of National Hunt horse racing – the Cheltenham Gold Cup – in 2018, Native River was aimed at the Stayers’ Triple Crown last season.
He ran with real credit on his first start 12 months ago finishing second in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park to track specialist Bristol De Mai.
Native River was then a fine third to Clan Des Obeaux on the tight clockwise circuit of Kempton Park during the King George VI Chase, and fourth around Cheltenham behind Al Boum Photo in the defense of his Gold Cup crown.
In that sort of sphere, Native River is perhaps vulnerable to younger, improving thoroughbred racehorses now.
However, the Grand National is the ultimate test of stamina and endurance, and he arguably has a perfect profile for it.
A one-time Hennessy and Welsh Grand National winner, Native River has excelled in staying handicaps despite being given topweight in the latter.
Irish oddsmakers Paddy Power reacted to the news about a possible Aintree bid by making Native River a 25/1 (26.00) chance in their futures horse racing betting on the 2020 Grand National.
That puts him some way behind hot 6/1 (7.00) favorite Tiger Roll, who has defied history by winning this ultra-tough handicap in each of the last two seasons.
If both horses line up on Merseyside come Saturday, April 4, then it will only add to the huge hype that surrounds the Grand National.
Tiger Roll’s owners, the Gigginstown House Stud headed up by Ryanair supremo Michael O’Leary, have confirmed they are out to try and win the world-famous race for an unprecedented third season in succession.
Red Rum is the only horse to taste Grand National glory three times during a remarkable run in the 1970s.
Not even that equine legend could land the hat-trick in consecutive years though, and Tiger Roll trainer Gordon Elliott will use similar preparation to get his Authorized gelding ready for a date with sporting immortality.