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Vaughan And Saint Are Ready for Sunday's Aintree Test
19/10/11

Saint Are is set to return to the site of his greatest triumph with trainer Tim Vaughan ready to unleash the Grade One winning hurdler in the £10,000 Matalan Novices’ Chase (2.35pm) at Aintree on Sunday, October 23.

The two and a half-mile contest is one of six races staged on Matalan Freaky Family Fun Day during Aintree’s opening two-day meeting, which commences on Saturday, October 22 with Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase Day.

Victorious at 33/1 in the Grade One John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle over an extended three miles at Aintree during the John Smith’s Grand National meeting on April 8, Saint Are was subsequently below par in a three-mile Grade Two novice hurdle at Punchestown the following month.

But the talented five-year-old has pleased Vaughan with his preparations for the Matalan Novices’ Chase, which will be the lightly-raced French-bred gelding’s first start over fences.

Vaughan revealed this morning: “It is definitely the plan to run Saint Are in the Matalan Novices’ Chase. We will make a final decision later on, after he has worked, but it is very much the plan.

“We had our finest hour with him at Aintree and I thought a flat, left-handed galloping track would be ideal. I always intended starting him over two and a half miles for his first run of the season and we will probably step him up to three miles as the season progresses. The ground should be fine, so fingers crossed.

“Punchestown was one run too many at the backend of a season. It was right-handed and the style of racing in Ireland didn’t suit him in that particular race. They tend to go a bit slower and then sprint whereas in our races we tend to go a good strong gallop.

“He was able to be held up and creep his way through at Aintree, but in Ireland he jumped out handy and they were going that slow that he was almost in front. The race wasn’t run to suit but he had just gone a little bit over the top by that time anyway.

“He has summered brilliantly well. He is big and strong now; he has improved and matured. We have schooled him plenty and he seems perfect in his jumping but like any novice chaser he has got to go and do it on the day. At the moment, everything seems pretty straightforward with him.”

The Matalan Novices’ Chase has attracted 16 entries and among them is the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Astracad, successful by eight lengths at Perth in September on his chasing debut, while Nicky Henderson has engaged last season’s useful novice hurdlers Bear’s Affair, unbeaten in three career starts, and Cucumber Run.

The highlight of Aintree’s two-day meeting is the £50,000 Grade Two Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase (3.30pm) over two and a half miles on Saturday, in which Paul Nicholls could saddle the exceptional dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Master Minded. The eight-year-old was at his dazzling best when winning the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase over the course and distance in April.

Albertas Run
© racing-images.co.uk

Albertas Run
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Albertas Run was the nine-length runner-up that day and the brilliant dual Grade One Ryanair Chase hero could reoppose on 10lb better terms.

Nicholls could also run Tataniano, winner of the Grade One John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase over two miles at Aintree in April, 2010.

Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase Day has a quality seven-race card that also includes the £19,800 Betfred 10 Best Odds In Shops Veterans Handicap Chase (2.55pm) and the 13 entries feature several old favourites including the evergreen 14-year-old Mister McGoldrick and Ballyholland, who triumphed in the 2009 renewal of the Galway Plate.

Sunday’s Matalan Freaky Family Funday blends a day of competitive racing with a host of free Halloween-themed entertainment for all ages.

Other highlights of Sunday’s card include the £15,000 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (3.10pm), which has last season’s Welsh National victor Synchronised featuring among the 28 entries, and the £17,000 Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap Chase (for the John Parrett Memorial Trophy) (3.45pm - 15 entries).

Away from the racing action, children can get up close to a pony and take a pony ride or groom one of the miniature Groovy Hooves ponies in the equestrian centre. There will be a host of indoor activities, including Halloween crafts and colouring, face painting and Halloween shows plus a fancy dress contest for all of the family.

Former leading amateur rider Carrie Ford, who partnered Forest Gunner to win the 2004 Fox Hunters’ Chase and finished fifth on the same horse in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National, will be on hand to give advice and encouragement to budding young jockeys by offering rides on an Equicizer.

Aintree will unveil its new grey horse mascot on Matalan Freaky Family Funday which children will be able to give a name to.

Outside, hair-raising spooky funfair rides are guaranteed to keep anyone warm and there will also be free Halloween goody bags for the children.

GROUND

The going at Aintree is currently Good, Good to Soft in places.

For further information, please contact Emma Owen, Aintree's Marketing and PR Manager

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