FRANCOIS DOUMEN described winning the John Smith’s Grand National as the “impossible dream”, but fellow trainer Tom Taaffe is more realistic about his chances for the Aintree showpiece.
Both trainers will bid to secure a first triumph in the world’s greatest steeplechase on April 5.
Last year, with his first ever runner in the National, Irish handler Taaffe saw Slim Pickings go close to victory, finishing third just two lengths adrift of winner Silver Birch. But he was forced to watch the race on television at home in Ireland as Taaffe didn’t make to it Merseyside due to being left stranded at the airport.
He said: “I missed the race last year. My plane didn’t take off, so I watched it on the television back home like everyone else. So I wasn’t quite as nervous as maybe I would have been. Hopefully we can all get there this time.”
The Taaffe name is synonymous with National Hunt racing, with father Pat having ridden the great Arkle to three Cheltenham Gold Cup victories and trained Captain Christy in 1974. He also secured two Grand National successes in the saddle aboard Vincent O’Brien’s Quare Times in 1955 and the Fred Rimell-trained Gay Trip in 1970.
Taaffe junior has already written himself into racing folklore when training Kicking King to win the Gold Cup three years ago. After a lengthy absence that horse is back on the Gold Cup trial again this year.
He will be trying to add the National to his Cheltenham Festival success and continue the Irish domination of the 4m4f marathon after six wins in the last nine years. But he knows he can take nothing for granted if Slim Pickings and one or two others from his Portree stables in Straffan line up in a little over nine weeks’ time.
The County Kildare handler said: “We hope that it continues (Irish domination). But I live in the real world. I don’t dream about it. All you can do is prepare them as well as you can for the day and hope everything goes well.
“I have a philosophical view of the race. It is such a tough race and nobody can expect to win it. Of course it would be great to win it, but we will just go there and hope they can all run their races and do well.”
Slim Pickings, who will carry 11st will have one more run before his return to Aintree.
Taaffe is looking to run Tumbling Dice (10st7lb), who was a fine second to Don’t Be Bitin in the Grade Two Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown on Sunday, and, if he makes the cut, In the High Grass (10st3lb)
Taaffe said: “Slim Pickings is in great form. He has had a couple of runs. He had a little mishap at Leopardstown, he slipped up on the flat. He will run at Leopardstown on March 2 in a 2m5f handicap chase and, please God, he will come on for the National. The handicapper has been very fair to him and he has a decent weight on 11st. He is only up a 1lb on his rating from last year. So if he has as much luck as he had last year we will be delighted.”
He added: “It is very encouraging that horses who have run well there before, do tend to go back and do well. We went there last year hoping that he is going to take to the place and it actually lit him up.”
While Irish trainers have dominated no French-trained horse has won since Cortolvin in 1867 and the nearest Doumen has been with his 12 entries over the years is when Innox finished seventh in 2005.
That may explain why he said: “It is impossible to dream about winning. It is such a hard task – the most difficult race to train for.”
L’Ami, who finished 10th last year, is due to carry 10st12lb this time.
TODAY’S NAP: Franco (3.20pm Taunton)
