All roads lead to Chepstow for Sara Bradstock’s Mr Vango, the new ante-post favourite for the Coral Welsh Grand National. Fresh off his victory in the London National at Sandown, the towering eight-year-old is firmly on course for the Chepstow marathon, a race Bradstock has long earmarked for him.
Raised 4lb by the handicapper this week, Mr Vango will effectively run off his new mark at Chepstow due to the 4lb penalty he incurred for his recent win. Bradstock remains optimistic, especially if the ground comes in soft, which would suit her stayer perfectly.
“He’s in very fine fettle, very pleased with himself, and full of beans. Now we’re just doing a rain dance,” Bradstock said. “The softer, the better for him, and he stays so well. We’ve always thought he’s the right type for the Welsh National.”
Bradstock added that Mr. Vango’s campaign is carefully managed to avoid unsuitable conditions:
“He’ll never run on anything quicker than good to soft because it wouldn’t be fair on him. There are only so many races each year he can run.”
While dreams of a Grand National at Aintree remain, Bradstock concedes the ground in April is unlikely to suit her mud-loving charge.
“My dream is to run him in a Grand National on very soft ground, but that’s very unlikely—it’s more likely to be a Midlands one!”
Mr Vango is set to wear cheekpieces at Chepstow, which he previously sported when finishing third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last season. Bradstock also noted his impressive form despite challenging race conditions.
“His Cheltenham run sort of went under the radar. He was meeting the first two massively wrong at the weights. If he’d run under the new conditions, he’d have been a certainty!”
Meanwhile, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Broadway Boy, second in the Coral Gold Cup, is currently the second favourite but remains a doubtful runner.
“We’re not sure if he runs yet,” said assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies. “He’s come out of his race well, but we’ll let the dust settle before making a decision.”
With Chepstow looming, Mr Vango’s connections are confident in his prospects, provided the weather plays its part.