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Sue Smith Pair 'Raring to Go' in Grand National
03/04/13

Sue Smith is relishing the prospect of seeing Auroras Encore and Mr Moonshine tackle the John Smith’s Grand National fences on Saturday, April 6, and both horses are reported to be “raring to go” following their last piece of work at the trainer’s Craiglands Farm base in West Yorkshire on Tuesday.

Auroras Encore
© Martin Lynch (racingpost.com/photos)

Both Auroras Encore and Mr Moonshine have been recently purchased by Douglas Pryde and Jim Beaumont, who were looking for Grand National runners. They had their first experience in 2011 in the shape of Santa’s Son, the Howard Johnson-trained gelding running well for a long way behind Ballabriggs before tiring and eventually being pulled-up before the 27th fence.

Beaumont and Pryde met at Aintree 20 years ago and have owned horses ever since. The former was born in Liverpool and carved out a successful career in the hotel and restaurant business, while the latter is an independent financial advisor and has been at Aintree for every John Smith’s Grand National since 1987.

“It’s been difficult to get the horses in top condition as the weather has been so bad recently but they finished their last bit of work this morning and they’re both raring to go,” explained Smith.

“The ground has been so wet up here that it’s been difficult to keep them ticking along but we took them both to Wetherby for a racecourse gallop last Wednesday and they both worked very well.

“We’ve also schooled them over the Grand National type fences on the Malton gallops and they both pleased me with their jumping.

Mr Moonshine
© Racehorse Photos

“We were delighted with Mr Moonshine’s run behind Cape Tribulation (at Wetherby on Boxing Day) but he was a little disappointing at Haydock last time out. However, they’ve both been crying out for some drying weather so the forecast ground should suit them well.

“Mr Pryde and Mr Beaumont love the National and approached me at the races with a view to having a runner in the race and now they’ve ended up with two. The race is a bit of a lottery and we’ll need our fair share of luck but they’re in good shape and we hope they can put up a good show.”

Auroras Encore is no stranger to the winners’ enclosure at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting as he won the Listed John Smith’s Handicap Hurdle at odds of 50/1 on the Thursday back in April, 2008.

He also attempted to land an historic double at the meeting when contesting the Listed John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle two days later but could only finish fifth behind eventual winner Forest Pennant.