Trainer confident his 66-1 runner “has a hell of a chance” in the Grand National

Trainer Brian Ellison has claimed that he is “over the moon” with his stable star Definitly Red. He will be one of the leading lights of Northern jump racing ahead of a second tilt at the Randox Grand National on Saturday.

Based in Malton, Brian stated that there is no reason to be put off by the horse’s fourth place finish behind Cloth Cap in Kelso’s Premier Chase. That runner is now the 4-1 favourite for the National in the ante-post market.

Phil and Julie Martin’s veteran 12-year-old chaser finished 4th of the five runners but was plugging on at the end of the two mile, seven furlong race. That gives the team confidence that Aintree’s four and a quarter mile stamina-sapping test will bring out further improvement.

Ellison also confirmed that Henry Brooke will maintain his partnership with the horse. Henry has been in brilliant form of late so that can only be noted as a major positive.

Brooke was aboard Definitly Red when they were victorious in the 2016 Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby so he has winning experience on the horse.

The horse finished 4th in the 2019 Becher Chase over the National obstacles. He carried 11st 10lb that day and was conceding 20lb to Kimberlite Candy, who finished second.

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Trainer Quotes

The weight differential between the two horses will be as little as 5lb. “I don’t understand why he’s 16-1 and ‘Red’ is 66-1,” Ellison was quoted saying at the time. Kimberlite Candy is now top priced 12-1 as we write this piece.

He continued: “Red’s fine. I was over the moon (after Kelso). I think he has a hell of a chance in the National when you look at the form with Kimberlite Candy.”

“He’s crying out for a trip these days. He’s not as quick as he once was.”

“He jumped well at Kelso and he kept galloping to the line – I couldn’t have asked for more. The winner (Cloth Cap) was very good but will he be able to make all in the National and will he go too quick?

“I’m happy, We lost a couple of weeks with the tooth and I’m confident I can get ‘Red’ to Aintree in the best possible shape. That’s the race that matters.”

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