Two Nationals on the cards for Ask Me Early

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Following a reappearance success over Hurdles at Exeter earlier this week, Ask Me Early has soared to the top of the betting for the 2021 Welsh Grand National with some bookies going as low as 8/1 on the Harry Fry runner. These odds were slashed from a general 14/1 for the Chepstow showpiece on December 27th and he will take in the trial contest on December 4th before appearing in the marathon handicap later in the month.

Hopes are also high that the 7-year-old could be Fry’s first runner in the Aintree Grand National. The Dorset trainer hasn’t had a runner in the world’s most famous steeplechase but given Ask Me Early’s performance on Tuesday, it is starting to look a genuine possibility that he will be in the line-up at Aintree on April 9th.

Having looked set for a second-placed finish in the Betway Supports Safer Gambling Week Novices’ Hurdle at the Devon course on Tuesday, the 6/4 favourite closed in on long-time leader in the latter stages before winning by a neck, thus giving Harry Fry his first triumph in this contest since 2014 when Thomas Brown claimed the renewal.

Following the win, Fry said: “That was a nice bonus. Today was literally come here and get his season started. As long as he came out of it in one piece that is what mattered. He has a great attitude. After the last, to come back shows he has a real will to win. We are looking forward to bigger targets over fences. I’ve never had a runner in the Grand National and he is probably the first horse that I feel fits that bill but that is in April and today is 2nd November.”

With regard to the Welsh National, the trainer said: “I’ve made no secret of the fact that we are targeting the Welsh Grand National and he will next be seen out in the trial on December 4th when the weights are already published for the Welsh National, then on to there. He was great around Chepstow last year as he won twice there. He is a very exciting second-season chaser.”