Grangeclare West is set for a tilt at the Punchestown Gold Cup after his second bid for Grand National glory ended at the first fence.
Third behind stablemates Nick Rockett and I Am Maximus in last year’s renewal of the Aintree spectacular, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding returned to Merseyside as a major contender after winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February.
However, the dream was over almost as soon as it started, with a mistake at the first obstacle seeing him unseat Patrick Mullins, who himself was bidding for back-to-back Grand National wins.
With Grangeclare West returning to Willie Mullins’ yard none the worse, he could now make an end-of-season appearance at Punchestown, where his likely rivals include his Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning stablemate Gaelic Warrior and another Closutton star in Fact To File.
Reflecting on the disappointment of Aintree, Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson said: “The main thing was the horse was OK and the jockey was OK.
“It just didn’t work out and it was a shame. It was a dream, I think the horse was in great form going into the race and everything was set up nicely for him, but it wasn’t to be.
“We’ll probably go to Punchestown, I suspect.”
