Polly Gundry Dreaming Of Grand National Glory
Devon trainer Polly Gundry is hoping to give owner Kelvin Hughes a dream Grand National win with her stable star, Santini. Santini finished fourth in last season's Aintree showpiece and Gundry and Hughes have big hopes for their veteran chaser to go even closer this year.
Before then, Santini is likely to take in the Cheltenham Festival in March, taking part in the Cross Country Chase as a final warm-up run before his tilt at jump racing's richest race.
The Owner
It is a hugely exciting time of the year for everyone involved in horse racing. The Cheltenham Festival is growing ever closer and the wait is nearly over for those spectators, trainers, jockeys, and owners that have been waiting with bated breath.
The experience of having a runner at Cheltenham must be something special, particularly for owners who have had to wait patiently for their horse to come of age. Paying for a potential runner to make it to the track can be an expensive hobby, although many are now taking advantage of racing syndicates as a way of enjoying the excitement at a fraction of the price.
Kelvin Hughes is one such owner that has enjoyed some great days as part of a syndicate. Not just content with being an owner or having shares in a racehorse, Hughes also breeds his own horses, one of which turned out to be his beloved Santini.
Santini was originally sent to legendary trainer, Nicky Henderson, but after enjoying some big wins, he was then moved to the Ottery-based stables of Polly Gundry in an attempt for him to recapture his former glory having gone off the boil in recent years.
It was a brave decision by Hughes to put his trust in Gundry, but he has been rewarded greatly. Gundry has returned Santini to something like his former self, putting in a fine effort in the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
A month later he would have his first tilt at the Grand National, a race that he is being put through his final preparations for this year.
Cheltenham Up First
Before his return to Aintree in April, Gundry is keen to give her 11-year-old a prep run in the unique challenge of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. The Cheltenham race has proved to be a good warm-up for Grand National prospects in recent years, notably with Tiger Roll having won his two Nationals after twice winning the four-mile contest at Cheltenham.
"Cross-country chase" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Carine06
Gundry and Hughes were probably tempted to give Santini one more try in the Gold Cup, but the Cross Country is likely to prove the best option at this stage of their horse's career. Tackling the unusual fences and testing their stamina reserves over a similar trip to the National makes a lot more sense.
Santini is set to meet last year's Cross Country winner, Delta Work at the Festival - a horse who finished one place ahead of him at Aintree last year.
Gundry is likely to be only using Cheltenham as a way of getting Santini fit for a National run, but with a horse possessing such class, there is nothing to say he can't win both.
