Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
” title=”The Big Dog (left): stayed on strongly to land the Troytown Handicap Chase”
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By Mark Boylan
The Big Dog will bid to provide connections with another major payday in the Coral Welsh Grand National later this month, with trainer Peter Fahey optimistic of another “huge” performance from his in-form chaser.
It may turn out to be a shrewd piece of placing from the Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer to target the Chepstow marathon on December 27 given his Munster National and Troytown Chase scorer will carry just a 4lb penalty for his recent big-race success at Navan.
The nine-year-old would have to contend with a 10lb hike in the weights if lining up in Ireland on his next start.
Fahey made no secret of how sweet he was on the chances of The Big Dog heading to last season’s Welsh Grand National, but the Punchestown Grand National Trial winner was pulled up before the tenth of 23 fences after a race-ending mistake.
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
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title=”The Big Dog: Troytown winner is priced between 10-1 and 16-1 for the Welsh Grand National”
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Now returning to Wales’s biggest race in even better form this season, compensation could be coming for the Damien and Colin Kelly-owned chaser, who is priced between 10-1 and 16-1 for the £150,000 prize.
“We had no luck in the race last year when he made a mistake and the reins went over his head, but hopefully he can run a huge race this time,” said Fahey.
“At the moment that’s where we’re aiming him. He’s only got a 4lb penalty for the Troytown if we go there and I think the track will suit him.
“If we were looking to run him in Ireland for his next start, he’d be racing off a much higher mark so it looks a good opportunity if we get a bit of luck in running.”
Raz De Maree’s 2017 Chepstow success for Gavin Cromwell is the only Irish-trained victory in the race since Notre Pere struck for Jim Dreaper in 2008, and Venetia Williams’ impressive London National scorer Quick Wave tops the market at 6-1 to keep the valuable pot on British soil this Christmas.
Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)
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title=”Peter Fahey (centre) on The Big Dog: “If he could end up being a horse for the Grand National it’d be great””
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Fahey ultimately has one eye on the Randox Grand National on April 15 for The Big Dog, a general 25-1 chance for Aintree glory.
“Last season just didn’t work out for us but this time around he’s had two runs and won two big handicap chases,” said Fahey of the 158-rated performer.
“I think it was the best performance he’s ever produced last time. Going to the line, you’d say he actually won snug enough. He’s in great form, and has been since he came back this season. Hopefully we can continue on that thread and if he could end up being a horse for the Grand National it’d be great.”
On possible conditions at Chepstow, Fahey added: “It’s hard to know what sort of ground you’ll get, but over an extended trip like this I don’t think it’ll be a problem. Provided it’s safe, which it should be this time of year, I’m not too worried about that.”
Coral Welsh Grand National (Chepstow, December 27)
Coral: 6 Quick Wave, 8 Ask Me Early, 10 Gericault Roque, Iwilldoit, Pats Fancy, The Galloping Bear, 12 Royale Pagaille, The Big Dog, 14 Ashtown Lad, Our Power, Punitive, Secret Reprieve, The Big Breakaway, 16 bar
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