RACING: Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon will be hoping there are no late dramas this year as he prepares to run Pendra in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.
Twelve months ago, the ten-year-old gelding was withdrawn 48 hours before the race after picking up an injury.
Pendra has had just one run since then, finishing well down the field in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
A best-priced 80-1 shot, it will be the chestnut gelding’s second crack at the world’s most famous steeplechase, having finished 13th behind Rule The World two years ago.
Pendra is set to be one of five horses owned by JP McManus in the race, and Aidan Coleman is in line to take the ride again as he did two years ago.
Meanwhile, Chastledon trainer John Gallagher sent out Andalusite to spring a 20-1 surprise at Chelmsford City.
Sent off the rank outsider for a eight-runner mile handicap, the five-year-old mare made all the running before holding off Satchville Flyer by three-quarters of a length.
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