What A Friend Heads to Grand National
- By A.J. Ryder on March 21, 2011 17:39 GMT
Sir Alex Ferguson’s high-profile chaser What A Friend managed a very respectable fourth in the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup and he looks like he’ll be a factor in the upcoming 2011 John Smith’s Grand National. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding emerged well from the Cheltenham showpiece and impressed his conditioner with the ability to stay on behind two living legends and the breakout winner Long Run.
What A Friend’s weight for the National will be closely monitored as he was already 3lb ahead on official ratings after the BHA unveiled the weights for the Aintree fixture. The career-high 172 posted by What A Friend will likely give him a real advantage heading into this contest.
The addition of blinkers and the slightly better going helped WAF achieve what many consider to be his best performance.
Speaking on his Betfair blog, What A Friend’s conditioner Paul Nicholls stated that the Totesport Bowl remained an option but good ground would likely see him head to the marquee match-up on April 9.
With the declaration from Nicholls, What A Friend is enjoying a real gamble ahead of the Grand National with a solid 16/1 price currently on offer. Daryl Jacobs is confirmed for the trip.
