Horse trainer Gary Moore endured a frustrating week at Cheltenham Festival as his leading charges all failed to secure victories. Editeur du Gite and Porticello were both outclassed in their respective events, while Shallwehaveonemore endured a tragic fate as he sadly passed away after a fall in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Moore has not enjoyed his past experience of Cheltenham Festival as Goshen famously unseated Jamie Moore at the final hurdle of the Triumph Hurdle in 2020, spurning a glorious chance for a dominant victory.
The Sussex-based trainer will now turn his attention to Aintree Festival and the biggest prize of them all – the Grand National. Any Second Now and Delta Work are the leading contenders in the horse racing tips on the Betfair blog due to their prowess at Aintree and recent form. You are unlikely to see Moore’s potential charges among the top picks for the contest, but stranger things have happened at the Grand National such as Mon Mome’s victory as a 100-1 outsider in 2009, therefore, there is always a chance that Moore can etch his name in the history of the world’s most prestigious race.
Full Back is perhaps the best of the horses that will compete in the race out of Moore’s yard. He raced in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival and was not competitive in the contest, placing down in 13th. However, he was in strong form ahead of the Festival, after recording a victory at Cheltenham Racecourse on New Year’s Day, and he also finished second in the Portman Cup Chase behind Yala Enki.
There are promising signs that he could make a charge in the National, although there are negative factors too. Full Back has never raced over four miles and has not competed at Aintree, which will provide a daunting challenge for even the most experienced horses. Jamie Moore or Niall Houlihan in the saddle will have to be at their best to usher the horse safely around the track, never mind competing for the crown. It is no surprise that Full Back is a 50-1 outsider for the National, as he will need a lot to fall in his favour to triumph on the day.
Larry is also in the running at the National out of Moore’s yard, although the oddsmakers believe that he is a long shot to say the least with odds of 100-1. He was also in action at Cheltenham Festival in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup, although he was pulled up by Freddie Mitchell two fences before the end of the race. He does have a victory in the National Hunt this season at the London Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot, but the Grand National will demand perfection from Larry and the jockey at his reins.
The odds are stacked against Moore from securing a historical victory, but there are few trainers who are more deserving of a break in a major event after his series of misfortunes at Cheltenham. Larry or Full Back could provide much-needed joy at the yard in Sussex.
