Owega has Aintree in his sights Peter Fahey is planning to give Owega Star an outing at Naas next month ahead of a tilt at the Crabbie's Grand National. Since finishing down the field on the Flat and over hurdles on his first couple of starts this season, the eight-year-old has run two excellent races in fiercely competitive handicap chases, filling the runner-up spot in the Troytown at Navan before finishing fifth in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. He has been allotted 10st 3lb for the world's most famous steeplechase at Aintree on April 11 and Fahey is looking forward to the trip to Merseyside. He said: "It is definitely the plan to go for the Grand National with Owega Star. He has been running very well this season and the National has been his long-term aim from the start. "We are hopeful he can run a good race at Aintree, although of course you always need loads of luck in running in the National. Touch wood, though, he has always been a good jumper. "When Davy (Russell) rode him last time out at Leopardstown he said the ground was plenty soft enough for him, and I think he is a better horse on better ground. "He will hopefully have a run at Naas on March 8 before Aintree. What race he goes for will depend on the ground - if it is heavy, he will run over hurdles, or if it is better ground he could go for the Leinster National. He will definitely have one run before the National. "We know he stays really well, and while of course you never know a horse will stay in the National until you try, we would be as confident as we can be that he can get the trip."
