‘You’ll be seeing his back end on Thursday’ – Trainer bullish about Aintree runner 🗣️

Aintree’s Grand National Festival kicks off on Thursday and one trainer in particular is looking forward to running one of his most promising horses. Milton Harris firmly believes his charge will get the job done and he’s been very vocal about his chances. The horse in question goes in the race which Harris won last year and he believes this one is even better. You can find our tips for Day 1 of the Aintree Grand National Festival here. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

‘We’re looking forward to getting him back’

Scriptwriter has been a flag bearer for the Harris yard so far this season. The ex-Aidan O’Brien inmate won a Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham in November. He scoped badly for a while after his latest race at Kempton, which would explain the below-par performance. “He came back wrong,” said the trainer. “We were pleased to be able to find an explanation for Kempton, he scoped badly for a number of weeks afterwards. He scoped really clean a few days ago and we’re looking forward to getting him back on track.” With a clean bill of health, it’s all systems go for the Grade 1 Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.

‘Scriptwriter is a better horse’

Milton Harris is convinced that this is a very talented horse that can go all the way on Thursday. Daryl Jacob finished in front of Scriptwriter on Nusret last time out, who is again in opposition here. However, Harris is convinced that his charge can turn the tables this time around. He said: “Daryl actually schooled him this morning and I told him, ‘Take a good look at him now, you’ll be seeing his back end on Thursday’.”

Harris is even more confident, having won the race last year. He added: “I’m not convinced this race is stronger than last year and, with the greatest respect to Knight Salute, Scriptwriter is a better horse.”

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