There’s little doubt that Joseph O’Brien knows a few things about winning the world’s biggest races but the trainer may be set to saddle his first ever runner in the Grand National on 6th April.
O’Brien has already triumphed in some massive races including Australia’s Melbourne Cup with Rekindling in 2017 and the Irish Derby with Latrobe in 2018. It was Edwulf which provided O’Brien with one of his biggest successes over jumps when he landed the Grand One Irish Cup at Leopardstown in 2018 and as a jockey under his father Aidan, he won the Derby on two occasions with Camelot in 2012 and Australia two years later.
Edwulf is owned by JP McManus and it could provide O’Brien with a runner in the famous steeplechase in just over six weeks’ time, the bookmakers currently going 66/1 on his chances of winning the race. Nevertheless the 10-year-old hasn’t tasted victory since his win at Leopardstown, finishing eighth in the Savills Chase at the same venue and third in the two-and-a-half mile Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park early this month.
Regarding the runner’s chances of appearing in the 2019 Grand National, O’Brien said: “The Randox Health Grand National could be a possibility for Edwulf.
“We have been slightly disappointed with him this term. He ran OK at Gowran Park last weekend when he jumped well, but just got tired in the closing stages.
“He is not entered in any races at the Cheltenham Festival , so I’m not too sure where he goes next, but we will keep our options open.
“The English National will come into consideration. He has a nice weight for the race and we will discuss it. The Irish National could also be something we consider.”
