Torrens concerned about ground for Hughies Mervyn Torrens' progressive novice Hughies Grey will miss Monday's Labrokes Irish Grand National if the ground is on the firm side. The Omagh trainer is set to make a trip down to assess the track before letting his charge take part in the €250,000 showpiece. The race is often won by an improving novice and the seven-year-old fits the bill perfectly but Torrens will not take any risks with the gelding. “I would love to run him but I'm just scared of the ground. If there is anything fast about the ground he won't run,” said Torrens. “He has won on heavy ground and while it wasn't too bad at Navan last time they weren't getting anything like the weather then that we are now. The sun is beaming down.” The grey scored in Grade Two company at Navan last time having taken the Ulster National on his previous start and has gone up 26lb in the ratings since the start of the season. “The further they go the better for him and he's in great order. I'm actually sitting on him as we speak!” added Torrens. “He's only seven and if it was a situation that it was his last chance or something we might take a chance but he's only a novice. “If he doesn't run he'll go out to grass and could come back for the James Nicholson Chase (at Down Royal). “Personally I don't like watered tracks as they can be very patchy. I might take a drive down to Fairyhouse on Sunday and have a look for myself before making a decision.” Gary Carson
