Russell booked for Chelsea in the National Chelsea Harbour, one of 31 Irish-trained horses still in the John Smith´s Grand National after the first forfeit stage, will be ridden by Davy Russell in the Aintree spectacular on April 5. The Tom Mullins-trained gelding, winner of the Grand National Trial at Punchestown last month, was a staying on fourth over an inadequate 2m5f trip at Leopardstown last Sunday. Mullins commented, ´Chelsea Harbour came out of his run over the weekend fine. Davy dropped him out on that occasion and the ground ended up riding a bit faster than we thought it would, so he had to be ridden to hold his position. ´He jumped really well on Sunday, and we think he jumps better on good ground. The weather has meant that we have had to race him on heavy for the most part of this season, but he has won on better ground over hurdles.´ Mullins acknowledges the importance of having Russell in the saddle and is glad that the Cork man, who currently leads the Irish jockeys? championship, will ride Chelsea Harbour at Aintree. Mullins continued, ´Davy has booked himself to ride Chelsea Harbour in the John Smith?s Grand National, and he has a really good relationship with the horse and gets the best out of him. ´If I had to use another jockey, I would have second thoughts about running him at Aintree. He?s got a couple of entries at Cheltenham and we?ll keep our options open, but the Grand National is our number one target. ´He has run at Aintree before, when Nina Carberry rode him in the Listed John Smith?s No Nonsense Handicap Hurdle in 2006, but he got knocked into early on and couldn?t get going afterwards. This year we are hoping for much better from Chelsea Harbour and we are hoping for a good show come April 5.´ Chelsea Harbour, set to carry 11st 2lb in the John Smith?s Grand National, is rated a 25/1 chance for the race with the Tote.
