It's all systems go for Roi Mage's bid for 2023 Randox Grand National glory at Aintree Racecourse on April 15.
Connections of the 11-year-old are getting excited over his trip to Aintree for the world's greatest steeplechase following his fine run when second to fellow Grand National hopeful Longhouse Poet earlier this month. Despite being a best-priced 50-1 chance with most bookmakers, Roi Mage will line-up at Aintree in the blue and yellow colours of owners, which include Liverpool-born Jim Beaumont and Scot Douglas Pryde who won the Grand National with 66-1 outsider, the Sue Smith-trained Auroras Encore, 10 years ago in 2013.
READ MORE: Full 73 current entries for the 2023 Randox Grand National at Aintree
Like Auroras Encore, Roi Mage is an 11-year-old with a low weight (10st8lb), but having missed the cut for the big race last year, he is now guaranteed a run among the 40-strong field. Roi Mage did line-up at Aintree on Grand National day last year, when finishing seventh behind Sire Du Berlais in the Grade One JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle. His season has been geared around Aintree again and having fallen in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham at the end of January, he showed he was none the worse for that mishap, when second – despite conceding weight to Longhouse Poet – at Down Royal. The roles will be reversed at Aintree with Longhouse Poet due to carry 11st.
Trainer Patrick Griffin said: "We were chuffed. I thought he'd run well and we think that would put him spot on. It is all systems go for Aintree now. He missed the cut by one last year but because he won at Down Royal last year, he went up 9lb to a mark of 149.
"So, the plan all season was the Grand National. The plan always was to start in France, which we did. He finished third at Compiegne, giving both the winner and runner-up weight, and was only beaten just over two lengths. We were always working back from April 15 and he has come out of Down Royal bouncing. He has no weight on his back over that trip. We genuinely can't wait. He'll handle soft ground. If this (unsettled) weather holds up, then happy days. He'll stay, we think he will. He has jumped round Auteuil, so Aintree shouldn't be a problem."
Thankfully an injury sustained in that fall at Cheltenham in January is behind him and the trainer's son and assistant, James Griffin, added: "After Cheltenham, we didn't think we would have a horse for the rest of the season, because he cut himself very badly in the Cross Country and genuinely we thought he would be gone for the season. Thanks to the Cheltenham veterinary team, specifically Ian Camm, who spent two hours on his hands and knees under the horse, with his finger tip, cleaning the wound meticulously, the dream is still alive.
"The horse cut himself very badly, we were a bit touch and go. But the horse was back being ridden out after three weeks and then it was on to Down Royal, where he ran a hell of a race."
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Connections are still hoping that three-time French champion jump jockey James Reveley will be able to return to Britain to ride Roi Mage despite having broken his tibia in a fall at Pau on February 19. Reveley is nearing a return to action and Patrick Griffin added: "We are hoping James will be back in time to ride him. There are a mass of trials over the big Easter weekend at Auteuil and that is what he is aiming to be back for. We want James to ride him, but if he can't, then we have two other riders in our heads."
Roi Mage has had just five runs over fences for Griffin since arriving from France, but the trainer said: "You can't fancy a horse in the National, but realistically we know we have a horse who is capable of a big performance. He has form in the book, he has a bit of speed – he won over two-miles-three 18 months ago – and he is relatively fresh. All season we have worked round the National and genuinely, we can't wait."
Meanwhile trainer Venetia Williams is waiting to see if ground conditions are soft enough before committing Royale Pagaille to a crack at the Grand National. The Rich Ricci-owned nine-year-old was second to Bravemansgame in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day before coming home sixth to Galopin Des Champs in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup at the recent Cheltenham Festival.
The mud-loving Royale Pagaille has won three times at Aintree's sister track, Haydock Park, in the past but could drop back down into handicap company if conditions are right. Williams, who was the second woman to win the Grand National after Jenny Pitman with Mon Mome's shock 100-1 victory in 2009, could run three this time. As well as Royale Pagaille Haydock's Grand National Trial winner and third, Quick Wave and Cloudy Glen, are both entered for the Aintree showpiece on April 15.
Williams said: "They are all fine. Royale Pagaille ran well. A week before, I thought he would get the ground he liked, with all the rain that was promised, yet it didn't really come. But he still ran a super race. He will have have another run. He is in both the Irish and the English Nationals and there is no decision yet as to where he goes. Likewise, we will see how the others are before making any plans."
