A third Grand National Steeplechase victory looms as the next challenge for champion jumper Bashboy.
The rising 12-year-old claimed his fourth-straight Crisp Steeplechase with a 1-1/2 length victory over Sea King under 71kg in heavy going at Warrnambool on Sunday.
The Crisp Steeplechase is run under set weights plus penalties but the Grand National (4500m) at Ballarat on Sunday week is a handicap.
Trainer Ciaron Maher said Bashboy seemed to have come through Sunday’s win well and he would give him a shot at the Grand National.
“Obviously he’s not that well suited to handicap conditions any more, but the trip certainly is to his liking and if Ballarat gets plenty of weather he would really appreciate that,” Maher said.
Bashboy, three times Australia’s jumps Horse of the Year, won the Grand National Steeplechase in 2012 and 2013 carrying 68.5kg and 72.5kg respectively.
He finished second to Wells last year, beaten six lengths under 74.5kg which was 9kg more than the winner.
“I wouldn’t think he would get any more (weight) than last year,” Maher said.
“He hasn’t raced in a handicap since last year and he was beaten last year.
“He’s fit and well and we always target him for that race.”
Among Bashboy’s opposition could be Sunday’s Grand National Hurdle winner King Of Dudes who would need to get his steeplechasing ticket in a trial at Cranbourne on Friday.
Trainer Aaron Purcell also has the option of the J J Houlahan Hurdle at the Ballarat meeting.
“He would need to get his qualification and then obviously depending on how he went, you would probably then make a decision which race to run in on the back of that,” Purcell said.
Another option is to send the gelding for a spell and aim him at the Warrnambool carnival next May.
“I’m not sure, we’ll just see in the next couple of days and make a decision,” Purcell said.
