grand national 2013 /

Bowen Targets Grand National with Always Waining
22/02/13

Aintree specialist Always Waining remains on course for a tilt at the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 6, after making his seasonal return at Doncaster on Wednesday, February 20.

Always Waining

The 12-year-old, trained by Peter Bowen in Pembrokeshire, became the first triple winner of the John Smith's Topham Chase over the famous Grand National fences in 2012, and will attempting to become the first Welsh-trained winner of the John Smith's Grand National since Kirkland in 1905.

Always Waining captured his first John Smith's Topham Chase, run over two miles, five and a half furlongs, in 2010 when powering clear under Brian Hughes to score by 12 lengths. The son of Unfuwain teamed up with regular rider Tom O'Brien in 2011 and 2012, winning by four lengths and four and half lengths respectively.

He had first run since April last year in a three-mile handicap chase at Doncaster earlier this week, coming home seventh, and Bowen is now looking to get at least one more run into his charge before the Aintree showpiece, over four miles, three and a half furlongs, for which he is currently set to carry 10st 6lb.

Bowen revealed: "Always Waining is on course for the John Smith's Grand National. We were pleased enough with his run at Doncaster as he always needs his first run of the season.

"We will definitely be looking to get another run into him before the National and he might even have two runs, but I don't know where yet.

"I am happy enough with the weight he has been given for the National as he needed that to get in really. You're always in the dark about whether a horse will get the trip in the National but you have to try, and when he's won the Topham, he looks as if he could go round again."

Bowen could also be represented by Mumbles Head, who sits 57th on the list of entries with 10st 2lb. The lightly-raced 12-year-old has failed to complete on his last two starts, including at Aintree when falling in the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase in December, but had previously won three of his five starts over fences headed by a nine-length success in the Perth Gold Cup in June.

Bowen added: "If Mumbles Head gets in, we would be looking to run him as well. He hasn't run for a while and we will also be looking to get a run into him between now and Aintree."

Always Waining is generally a 50/1 chance with bookmakers, while Mumbles Head is rated a 100/1 chance. At Grand-National.me.uk the latest odds and free bets offering will help you in deciding who will win this year.

A total of 82 entries remain engaged and, with a prize fund of £975,000, the John Smith's Grand National remains the most valuable jump race in Europe and among the richest in the world.

Betfred make On His Own, trained by Willie Mullins, the 8/1 favourite after a pleasing return to action on February 19, when capturing the Grade Two Boyne Hurdle at Navan. Stablemate Prince De Beauchene is next best at 10/1, while Seabass and Cappa Bleu, who finished third and fourth respectively last year, are 14/1 shots.