Apalachi again targets National Black Apalachi will return to action early in the new year with the aim of going one place better in the John Smith's Grand National. Trained by Dessie Hughes and owned by Gerard Burke, Black Apalachi put up a heroic performance at Aintree last April, racing at the head of affairs throughout and only being overtaken by Don't Push It at the final fence. He failed to complete the course in the 2008 and 2009 renewals but did win over the National fences in the 2008 Beecher Chase. "He just went back into training last week after spending the summer with us," reported Burke. "He looks stronger than he did last year and even though he is nearly 12, he acts like a two-year-old. We did a bit of roadwork with him but he obviously won't be back for a while. "I would say we will follow a similar plan to last season, with one or two hurdle races early next year followed by the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse. Then hopefully we can come back for another try at Aintree."
