Brothers on Aintree mission for Doumen

Mar 26 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

FRANCOIS DOUMEN is hoping brothers L’Ami and Kelami can help him secure a first John Smith’s Grand National victory at Aintree a week on Saturday.

Only two French-trained horses have won the Aintree showpiece and the last was more than 140 years ago when the Duke Of Hamilton’s Cortolvin triumphed in 1867.

But Doumen makes no secret of his hope of ending that barren run and yesterday he confirmed both his entrants to be on course for the 4m4f marathon on April 5. Although Kelami, who has been allotted 10st9lb and is a best-priced 40-1 with William Hill, still needs six horses to come out.

Frenchman Doumen said: “Both horses are absolutely on course for the race. Kelami is not 100% certain to get in, but I would hope he will make the cut.”

Both horses have run in the National before. The JP McManus-owned L’Ami was 10th behind Silver Birch 12 months ago, while Kelami – owned by Liverpool-born businessman John Halewood – was brought down at the first fence in 2004 and was pulled up before the second to last fence last year.

They do, though, come into the race in form with former Cheltenham Festival winner Kelami having finished second to Gungadu in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton last month.

While L’Ami, who has 11st1lb and was fourth in the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup, came back from two disappointing runs to finish a two-and-a-half length third to An Accordion in the Grade Three William Hill Trophy – the race Kelami won in 2005 – at the Festival earlier this month.

Doumen said: “L’Ami ran a splendid race last time. He came from far off the pace and made a very good effort, so I was happy with that.

“I have a fair confidence in the horse. We know you need luck in the race and it is almost an impossible dream to win the John Smith’s Grand National, especially when you come all the way from France, and the results have not been too good up to now. But if you don’t take the challenge you don’t get anywhere.”

Doumen believes that this year Kelami has a better chance of giving owner Halewood a second victory in the race following Amberleigh House’s win in 2004.

He said of the 10-year-old: “We have a bit of a different horse this year. He had a few problems last year which were not big problems but, as he proved in the Racing Post Chase, he has no problems at all this year. We have the horse in very good shape now.

“I would think he will get the trip at Aintree. He was unlucky with my son (Thierry) when he was brought down at the first fence four years ago, but he’s a horse who has always stayed three miles and when he won the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham it was a good test of staying power. Obviously, the John Smith’s Grand National is a longer distance but I am okay with that.”

Like Doumen McManus has yet to win the National with Clan Royal’s runner-up spot behind Amberleigh House the nearest he has come.

Doumen is philosophical about his chances of helping the legendary Irish gambler to land that so far elusive victory with L’Ami, a best-priced 33-1 chance with Sportingbet. He added: “It would be amazingly satisfactory for me to get the first John Smith’s Grand National victory to Mr McManus, but it’s never done in advance and we need a lot of luck, so I will remain very sober about our chances.”

TICKETS remain available for all three days of the John Smith’s Grand National meeting. For more details go to www.aintree.co.uk or ring 0151 522 2929.

TODAY’S NAP: Playtotheaudience (7.20pm Wolverhampton).