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Don't Push It improves claims for National double |
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The rearranged Newbury Totesport Trophy fixture was expected to provide clues for both the Champion Hurdle and The Queen Mother Champion Chase, with trials for both of those races on the card. However it was last year's Grand National winner who arguably produced the day's most telling effort. Taking his place in a 3-mile handicap hurdle, Jonjo O'Neill's charge was noted as making impressive late progress and the race should have put him just about spot on for his Grand National bid and anyone who has been keeping an eye on the Grand National odds will have noticed his price was cut dramatically following this weekend's race. The JP McManus owned 11 year old was overlooked by AP McCoy at Newbury, the champion jockey opting to partner another of the owner's runners. Don't Push It held up well off the pace and wasn't ever going to win the race however, when his rider got busy with him in the closing stages he picked off a number of rivals and finished full of running. That said, he will have to be at his best if he is two win the Grand National 2011 as the official handicapper has given him a massive weight to carry. Horses that are proven over the National fences are always worth a second look when they return to Aintree and despite the fact that he will be faced with carrying top-weight this year, Don't Push It should be on anyone's shortlist for the April marathon. |
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