Far Hills Betting Odds

I am buzzing to be in New Jersey for the American Grand National on Saturday, and I can't wait to check out what Far Hills has to offer. To mark the occasion I thought I'd quickly spin you through the card, with five Horses to keep an eye on.

17:50 - PORCUPINE BANK

There might be a theme in this column, but for good reason, as last year Irish trainer Gordon Elliott recorded five winners across the card from just six runners. This year he will hope to kick off another sequence with PORCUPINE BANK, who comes into this race with an Irish official rating of 134 following his third place behind another Elliott runner in Lizzie Twigg during a Listed event at Galway in July. He's since come over to England where he was beaten into second over 2m6f at Stratford, but this nearer 2m trip that saw him win at both Punchestown and Ballinrobe in the Spring ought to be enough to see him score. Jack Kennedy, like with all of Gordon Elliott’s Horses on the card, comes over for the ride.

18:35 - SAN HILARIO

This Maiden Hurdle looks a bit of a minefield, but when in doubt we turn to the Irish form, and that man Gordon Elliott once again. His chosen Horse to come across this year is SAN HILARIO, and he has ran well in defeat on a few occasions; including notable seconds to Powerful (135) and Linden Arden (126). He's certainly the most risky proposition of the five I am putting forward here, but hopefully this sort of opposition can see him finally shed his Maiden tag.

19:26 - BLUE WATERS

As mentioned Gordon Elliott recorded five winners on the card 12 months ago, but this year he will have to settle for a maximum of four as he doesn't have a runner in this Mares Hurdle. He does however have a recent leaver, as BLUE WATERS was snapped up by Richard Hendricks after she won at Percy Warner Park in May. She was only rated 118 in Ireland but was a smart enough type having won a Bumper and a Maiden Hurdle at Listowel, but she also finished second to Baby Kate (122) in her prep race at Limerick before landing that aforementioned Spring prize. Considering she is owned by the same people as Lizzie Twigg and others, perhaps they have asked Gordon not to send a runner to this race.

20:11 - LIZZIE TWIGG

My NAP of the card has to be LIZZIE TWIGG, who was last seen winning a competitive Listed Novice Hurdle at the Galway Festival. That sort of form should be unrivalled by her opposition here, and her rating in Ireland of 128 sets her well apart. If Gordon Elliott is able to win the opener with Porcupine Bank then that will provide a very timely form boost for this Mare who is 3/3 over hurdles, and she also receives weight from just about every runner in the field.

21:05 - WESTERN FOLD

It would be remiss of me to not mention Zanahiyr who returns to defend his crown of 12 months ago, but it is surely telling that Jack Kennedy has chosen to ride WESTERN FOLD instead. Obviously he was last seen when winning the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival, and this multiple Graded winner has always shown a preference for quicker ground throughout his career. Although this shorter 2m5f trip might be the main doubt, you do have to stay strongly to the line at Far Hills, and as such he is the play for me in the big race. Like his stablemate, he has had a spin on the Flat in preparation for America.