Racing:Chelsea Harbour is set to make a quick reappearance in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday after making a quick exit at Aintree on Saturday. He only got as a far as the third fence in Liverpool but appears none the worse for his exertions.
“He’s come out of it surprisingly very good, so he’ll more than likely take his chance next Monday in the Irish National,” said trainer Tom Mullins. After his fall he cantered round to the stands and pulled up then.
“He was a bit excited obviously the day after but we took some blood from him this morning and his regular rider rode him out. He’s very good, so we might take a chance on Monday.”
Mullins does not expect his other Irish National possible Mustangsallyrally to make the cut, but he does have another race in mind for the eight-year-old the same day.
“He’s in the Irish National but it looks like he won’t get in,” Mullins added. “He’ll probably go for the novice handicap the same day if he doesn’t get in the big one.”
Another of Mullins’s Aintree runners, Made In Taipan, is likely to seek compensation at the Punchestown.
The gelding is being aimed at the Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase on April 30th after taking third place behind Kalahari King in the Maghull Novices’ Chase.
That was one position better than he finished behind Forpadydeplasterer and Kalahari King in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.
“He ran a good race, similar to Cheltenham, he was only eight lengths behind Kalahari King there and the same again at Aintree. We were happy with that,” said Mullins.
“I’d hope to get him out in Punchestown again for the two-mile novice Grade One. He’s a nice prospect.”