Patsy is Martin’s hope in Scottish National

Apr 18 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

TONY MARTIN is hopeful Patsy Hall can go close in tomorrow’s Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

Irish trainer Martin, who has landed several handicap successes on trip across the Irish Sea and he sends over his eight-year-old, who was fourth to An Accordion at the Cheltenham Festical last month.

Patsy Hall was among the final 24 entries at yesterday’s final declaration stage for the 4m1f showpiece and Martin said: “He seems well and I was very happy with him at Cheltenham where he ran very well and jumped great until the last.

“After that we just had to look at a few things and thought Liverpool and Fairyhouse might be coming a bit quick, but we’d be hopeful he’ll run another good race.

“Stamina might be an issue, but he has won on soft ground over three miles before and we’d be hoping he just lacked a run last time – he’d not run for a long time since the Hennessy.”

With the 169-rated top weight Halcon Genelardais, trained by Alan King, in the race only Miko De Beauchene and Opera Mundi are also in the handicap proper.

But Martin added: “Realistically it narrows it down as you wouldn’t want to be racing any more than 8lb or 9lb out of the handicap.

“You’d think anything more than that will have a lot to find and it might narrow it down to around 10 or so. We’re only 2lb wrong. There are 24 horses in there and hopefully there shouldn’t be too many hard luck stories.”

Among the other entries are Halcon Genelardais’ stable-mate Old Benny and the Ferdy Murphy duo Noir Et Vert and Leading Man.

TODAY’S NAP: Handsome Falcon (3.40pm Thirsk).