Keith Donoghue’s William Hill blog: Looking forward to Velvet Elvis in Grand National Trial

William Hill ambassador Keith Donoghue previews his Sunday rides, featuring Velvet Elvis in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown.

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It has been a quiet week racing wise for me, but I’ve been busy behind the scenes at Gavin Cromwell’s yard putting a number of young horses through their paces in schooling races at Fairyhouse.

We were at Fairyhouse for two days this week doing schooling races and I rode 10 horses each day.

It is great to give young horses such an experience as it is definitely an advantage we have enjoyed over in Ireland.

Although they were all just young unnamed horses we put through their paces hopefully there are some amongst them that will turn out to be nice individuals.

Punchestown, Sunday

The main action for me this weekend is at Punchestown on Sunday where my first ride is aboard Springt De La Mare in the 2.10pm.

He won well last time in a beginners chase at Fairyhouse and it definitely looks like he has improved for a fence.

He had been disappointing over hurdles, but we thought he had that ability in him to do what he did last time tackling fences.

This is a step up in grade for him on Sunday, and there looks to be some smart ones in the race, but we are looking forward to getting him out again and seeing where he fits in.

At the moment he looks like he could be one for a novice handicap at the Fairyhouse meeting at Easter time, but we will know more after Sunday.

My next ride on the card is on Mint Boy, who like Springt De La Mare, is owned by Alymer Stud, in the extended two-mile six furlong beginners chase (2.40pm).

We have been a little bit disappointed with him over fences so far so he probably has a little bit to find to win a race like this, but going back up in trip won’t be a negative for him.

If he was to find his way again you would be hopeful he could make the frame.

I’m looking forward to getting on Velvet Elvis in the Grand National Trial (3.10pm). He ran a blinder to finish second in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park last time and I think he has definitely improved for that run.

He is going into this race off top weight, but I think he has that little bit of class to carry such a weight.

Going right-handed suits him best and the soft ground will suit him. We think that he has a big chance.

Although he has got a Grand National entry I would imagine that he would be more so one for the Irish Grand National.