West End Rocker Heading Directly to Aintree

West End Rocker has been earning the plaudits since turning on the afterburners to triumph at Aintree in the Becher Chase back in early December. The selectively-raced ten-year-old has only been out twice this season and was ultimately pulled up in his first effort at Cheltenham when contesting a Grade 3 handicap chase.

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The Cheltenham effort rounded off a tough three-race series for the Alan King-trained bay or brown gelding. He came into 2011 looking like he had finally found form after back to back scores at Newbury and Warwick before being pulled up at Haydock in February and then brought down at Bechers when contesting the National, subsequently won by Ballabriggs.

His December victory really looked to be an accurate description of what he's capable of. He went 3m2f over heavy ground on the testing course at Aintree against listed company. The line-up that day included, notably, Niche Market, Another Palm, Rare Bob and Hello Bud. A testament to the extreme conditions is clear when one notes that half the 14-strong field was either pulled up, brought down, or unseated their rider.

It's about as clear a reference for the National as one would want.

It could also be argued that West End Rocker was not given a real opportunity to flash his National credentials last time out.

Alan King has West End Rocker pointed at one of two races this Saturday but the going is presented concerns at both Doncaster and Newbury so there is a very good chance, according to his connections, that West End Rocker will head directly to Aintree.

Speaking to the media, conditioner Alan King declared “There is nowhere else we can go. He does not like Cheltenham, so there is no point going to the festival and I couldn't possibly run him over two and a half miles.”

The popular trainer also played down concerns that West End Rocker may not fire to full potential having been unraced for four months. “He is not a horse who has to have soft ground, but he would not want it too quick and I fear the ground has scuppered us for a prep race. However, he goes well fresh so I wouldn't be too worried,” declared King.

West End Rocker is a general 16/1 for National glory.