livescore

LiveScore Racing News: Kelso next up for National-bound Windsor Avenue
Copy icon

LiveScore
Brian Ellison is set to send Windsor Avenue to Kelso next month
Brian Ellison is set to send Windsor Avenue to Kelso next month

Trainer Brian Ellison has confirmed Windsor Avenue will head to Kelso for his prep run ahead of the Grand National at Aintree in April.

The 10-year-old has enjoyed a successful campaign so far, running three times for owners Phil and Julie Martin. 

Windsor Avenue opened his account with a second-place finish at Bangor in November before being pulled up at Wetherby on Boxing Day. 

Questions were asked about his future, but Windsor Avenue silenced any doubters when he won the Listed Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster last month at odds of 40/1. 

That success was his third over fences and the addition of blinkers appeared to help the 10-year-old focus in South Yorkshire. 

After winning by three-and-a-quarter-lengths, Windsor Avenue will return once more before the National and connections have decided a trip to Scotland suits best. 

Ellison does not want to put too much pressure on his stable star, so an outing at Kelso is the number one choice on March 5. 

Ellison said: "The last time I spoke to Phil, we were going to go to Kelso and then on to the National.

"It was a good run last time at Doncaster. He's fine and has come out of the race well, but obviously, we hope the blinkers will work again. 

"The Premier Chase is a nice stepping stone, and while he is not ground dependent, I think he is better on a bit of good ground." 

Ellison is also thinking about his plan for the National, with Sean Quinland booked to ride Windsor Avenue at Aintree. 

Quinlan won the Scottish National aboard Takingrisks in 2019 at Ayr. And after guiding him to victory at Doncaster, Ellison sees no reason to change the partnership. 

Sean Quinland is likely to be on board Windsor Avenue at Aintree
Sean Quinland is likely to be on board Windsor Avenue at Aintree

While everything is on track for Ellison and Co, connections of Discorama are sweating ahead of the Grand National. 

The weights for the 2022 showpiece are announced on Tuesday, and connections are worried that the nine-year-old will be punished for some recent good results. 

Discorama finished seventh to Minella Times at Aintree in 2021, but he has since finished fifth at Galway and second at Fairyhouse. 

Trainer Paul Nolan is hoping the handicapper is not too harsh ahead of the feature race in 2022. He said: "It is a bit frustrating as he has only won two races in his life and he is nine years of age. 

"He has run so many good races, but he always seems to find a way of getting beaten. There will be other horses coming up through the handicap that would maybe be higher-rated than him."

He added: "We'll see what happens on Tuesday, but the plan will be to go to Aintree if he gets in. We will then make our mind up about Cheltenham."

LiveScore logo

LiveScore: Live Sport Updates

Voetbalscores & sportnieuws

App storeGoogle play