Court By Surprise on target for Grand National after racecourse gallop

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/22/court-by-surprise-grand-national-racecourse-gallop

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The Grand National contender Court By Surprise “thoroughly enjoyed” a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Sunday morning that, his connections hope, will bring him to a peak for the race on 11 April. “He seems in very good order,” reported the horse’s trainer, Emma Lavelle, who is looking forward to her first National runner in her 17th season with a licence.

“I wanted to get a run into him a couple of weeks ago but I didn’t want to run him when the ground was so soft, so we decided to go with a racecourse gallop instead.” Lavelle explained it had always been her plan to give the horse a midwinter break after he was awarded the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton in early November.

“In past seasons, we’ve kept him ticking over until there was better ground and then, when it’s come, it’s seemed that we’ve taken the edge off him. So we tried something different this time and he spent a month going out in the field every day and then brought him back, trying to kid him that this is the start of the season all over again.

“I think it’s done the trick. He’s kept his condition much better. He certainly pulled Barry [Fenton]’s arms out at Newbury!”

Fenton, Lavelle’s husband and assistant trainer, rode Gunner Welburn into fourth place in the 2003 Grand National. He told Lavelle after riding Court By Surprise on Sunday that, in his days as a jockey, he would have been delighted to be offered such a mount for the Aintree race.

“He’s an uncomplicated horse,” Lavelle said. “He can race at the front, in the middle or out the back, he’s not fussed about that. He’s not a horse who gets overawed, he’s quite a solid horse, mentally.

“He can sometimes make an error in a race, so I hope, if that does happen, it’s on the second circuit when the fences are a bit smaller. And I wouldn’t want him to be in front too soon.”

Court By Surprise is a general 50-1 shot for the National, despite having won his last two starts. He was second past the post when last seen at Wincanton but was handed the prize when it emerged that the winner, The Young Master, was ineligible and should not have been allowed to take part.

Lavelle also has Shotgun Paddy entered for the National, but will withdraw him after he was found to have mucus in his lungs following a disappointing effort at Uttoxeter last weekend. Shotgun Paddy, who has completed a course of antibiotics, may yet be aimed at the Scottish National on 18 April.