Paul Nicholls is to use the Premier Chase at Kelso as a stepping stone to the 2020 Grand National for Yala Enki, the ten-year-old finishing in third position for a second consecutive season in the Coral Welsh Grand National in December. Since then, the runner has stepped up to triumph in the Weatherby’s Portman Cup Chase at Taunton in January and he was one of 105 entries aimed at the 2020 Grand National last week.
Yala Anki triumphed at Haydock Park in the Grand National trial in 2018 and he is a general 33/1 ante-post punt for the big race on April 4th behind favourite Tiger Roll at odds of 5/1.
Trainer Paul Nicholls, said: “He won’t go to the Eider Chase and if I decide to run him before the Grand National it will be something like the race at Kelso at the end of the month.
“He was brilliant at Taunton. It was quick enough after the hard race in the Welsh National. I want to go to Aintree with him if the owner is happy and we have to plan back from that.
“I think he could be a great horse to go to Aintree with.”
Stablemate Truckers Lodge finished ahead of Yala Enki in second position in the Coral Welsh National, however he hasn’t been entered for the Grand National although he will possibly head to Haydock Park for the Grand National trial later this month.
Nicholls said: “He will probably go to the Grand National Trial at Haydock as he will love the ground up there.
“It was a tough race at Chepstow, but he has had a nice little break and will be fine. He has got over that well and has been working great and looks in good shape.”
