Brilliant fencer Stern Idol will take his place in Sunday’s Grand National Steeplechase after pleasing his trainers, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, since his stunning Crisp Steeplechase victory.
The hulking import obliterated his rivals by 25 lengths in that 4200-metre at Sandown on August 6 and has shown no ill-effects since.
The 4500m Grand National presents a new challenge, being the furthest race he will have contested since being pulled up in the 5500m Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool on May 4, but Eustace has no concerns with the extra 300m.
“He’s pulled up well and everything’s gone to plan,” Eustace said when confirming he would take his place.
“The trip will be fine, it won’t be a problem, and we don’t expect there to be an issue with that.”
Stern Idol, a seven-year-old son of Raven’s Pass, has won five of his seven starts over jumps in Australia with his only other defeat coming when second to Bell Ex One in last year’s JJ Houlahan Hurdle.
The 3250m JJ Houlahan Hurdle is the key support race on Sunday’s all-jumps program at Ballarat.
