Port sets out on road to Aintree
ByIt seems an awfully long time since the smart Burton Port was last seen in action, but the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding is now ready to set out on the road to Aintree and could begin by taking on his stable companion and current Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Long Run in the Grade 2 Denman Betfair Chase at Newbury on February 11, writes Elliot Slater.
Burton Port ran only once last term but created a tremendous impression in finishing a length-and-a-quarter runner-up to Diamond Harry in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, after which many people suggested that the Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding could be a genuine contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup five months later. Sadly for connections the son of Bob Back met with a training setback and was placed on the easy list for the rest of the term and only now is Henderson satisfied that the horse is running into something approaching his best form. Anyone thinking of placing Grand National bets online will have to keep an eye on him.
With a current official handicap rating of 160 there is little doubt that Burton Port will be close to the top of the weights for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14, a race his owner won last year with the brave Ballabriggs and also landed back in 2005 with the Willie Mullins-trained Hedgehunter. A very sound jumper who has never fallen or unseated his rider in 14 races under rules, Burton Port could also take in the betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in mid-March, a race that would allow an ideal four-week gap before taking on the four-and-a-half mile challenge of the daunting Liverpool marathon.
Bookmakers rate Burton Port a 33/1 chance at present to triumph at Aintree, the eight-year-old also being available at similar odds for the Grade 1 Cheltenham blue riband event.
Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide
Port sets out on road to Aintree
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