Warren Greatrex is set to run Missed Approach later this month with the Grand National hopeful aimed either at the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle or the William Hill Grand National Trial at Haydock Park. The Lamourn-based trainer has long considered the runner to be the ideal type to perform at the famous steeplechase and his win at the Kim Muir at Cheltenham Festival last year lifted his handicap mark up to the point where he can be considered for the big race. He has been seen on just one occasion this year, this being over the National fences in Aintree’s Becher Chase where he finished in sixth position behind Walk In The Mill.
“Missed Approach is in very good form at home and we have been happy with him since his run in the Becher Chase,” Greatrex said.
“He was a good winner of the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last year, and the plan this season has centred around the Randox Health Grand National.
“We were very pleased with his run in the Becher Chase – he ran very well. He was left behind at the start that day, but jumped well.”
The publication of the Grand National weights will be on February 12th and the first option for Missed Approach will be at Haydock Park just four days later.
Greatrex continued: “We will now wait until the weights for the Grand National are out before running again.
“We have given him a break and freshened him up. We could potentially go for the Eider, or the William Hill Grand National Trial at Haydock next up.
“He seemed to take to the fences well in the Becher Chase – and if he could jump like that in April, then I hope he would have a chance in the Grand National.”
