Rum Connections Wait Another Day

Another Rum's participation in the John Smith's Grand National is likely to hinge on a successful workout on Monday morning.

As long as the eight-year-old catches the eye when put through his paces at Down Patrick racecourse, he should get the chance to shine in the world's biggest steeplechase rather than wait for the Scottish equivalent at Ayr two weeks later.

However, County Antrim trainer Ian Duncan acknowledged soft ground would be detrimental to his gelding's chances of success in the four-mile-four-furlong contest.

'We are going to leave it until the last minute after he's done his final piece of work,' said Duncan.

'Preparations have not been ideal because it's been so wet here for the last month.

'Soft ground would not suit him but if he does well tomorrow, we'll probably go to Aintree instead of the Scottish National.'

Another Rum showed himself to be a useful stayer when winning the four-mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last March before finishing third behind Joes Edge in the Scottish National a month later.

He failed to impress at this season's Cheltenham Festival though and was pulled up in the Kim Muir Chase with three fences remaining.

Duncan's charge has fully recovered from that setback, however, and is now as low as 33-1 to win the Grand National next weekend.

'He's in great form and we are very happy with him so hopefully he'll do alright tomorrow,' added Duncan.

'If we do go to Liverpool, Tony Ross will ride him because he knows the horse extremely well.'

? PA Sport