Sean Flanagan’s William Hill blog: I’d love to ride Vanillier in the Grand National

Looking back at last weekend

It was great to come away with two winners on my first trip to Haydock last weekend, and this week I’ve been able to mix riding and being able to spend a few days with the family at Center Parcs in Ireland which has been nice to do.

Looking back at last weekend Gavin (Cromwell) was a bit worried that Yeah Man might not be able to handle the ground. I had ridden him on that sort of ground before, but he wasn’t in the right place at the time however I did feel like he handled the ground so I had a sneaky suspicion that he would be fine at Haydock.

They went a good gallop, and he settled well. His jumping his generally okay, but I feel he jumped a little bit better because he was going on that slower ground and everything was a gear slower than it would have been on his previous two runs.

I felt like they got racing turning into the back straight, and I was going really strongly. My Silver Lining gave me something to aim at all the way up the home straight. I felt like I was making ground all the way down the straight and it was just a case of making sure I was getting there soon enough, and if anything I’ve got there plenty early as he had a good look around in the last 50 yards.

He doesn’t do a whole lot in front, but he has gone and done it well, and it was hugely encouraging for him as it opens a few more doors for him now that he goes on that testing ground. I think it was a combination of the cheekpieces and the slower ground that helped him as he travelled a lot better than before.

It will depend what the ground is but I’d imagine the Irish National will be a target for him now and he will go there with a chance.

The only reason Now Is The Hour was a little bit unknown was that it wasn’t the strongest maiden he won the time before. There was no depth to the maiden he won, but he could only beat what was in front of him. The step up in trip played into his favour, as did the ground conditions, as he is a mud lark and he likes really soft ground. They went a strong gallop early on and I just waited and kept him in his comfort zone for as long as I could.

He has come home really well. He took a big step forward with his jumping as he made two bad mistakes late on during his previous win having previously fallen before that.

You could supplement him for the Albert Bartlett. I’d imagine Gavin will sit on his hands regarding that until we get closer to the time to see what ground conditions will be like as if it is better ground I don’t think it would be worthwhile supplementing him for it as he does rely on testing ground. He is starting to build himself into a nice horse going forward.”

Fairyhouse, Saturday

Kinbara Hills (1.30pm)

I’ve not ridden too many times for Stuart Crawford, but it is good to get the opportunity to pick up a ride for him. He has had one okay run in a bumper at Musselburgh so I don’t really know the strength of that form.

I’m looking forward to riding him and hopefully he will handle the ground. It seems a competitive enough maiden, but we will be there with a little chance hopefully.

Solly Attwell (3.15pm)

He had consistent Point-to-Point form and he obviously stays really well. If he was to return to his Point-to-Point form he would go really well. Yabo of Liz Doyle’s will relish this kind of ground, while Jouster of Gavin’s was running a big race before falling at the second last at Fairyhouse the last day so he would have a bit of a chance. It is not an open and shut case, and if he returns to his old form this race is not beyond him on his first handicap start.

Vanillier (3.50pm)

I’m excited to be getting back on board Vanillier. He had a really good run in this race last year which was his prep run for the Grand National and it will be the same again this year.

Ground conditions will suit, while it is a small field which will probably give him a chance as well and he has the cheekpieces back on again for the first time this season so I’m really looking forward to riding him.

You would have probably liked to have seen him be a bit more enthusiastic last time at Leopardstown, but they went a really good gallop and he just stayed going the same speed.

The Grand National is over an extended four and a quarter miles and that is probably his trip.  This weekend will assess where he is as it is slower ground and it will be more of a test.

For him to realistically have a chance in the Grand National he will have to show a bit of form on Saturday. He is well in at the weights at the weekend and it is testament to Gavin as he has placed the horse really well all the way along.

He nearly nabbed this race last year when he was a real fast finisher. You have to give him a chance midway through the race to get his breathing into a rhythm and it is riding him that way as to why he is such a strong finisher.

You would have to be happy with the weight he has been given for the Grand National. The swing in the weights he has with Corach Rambler would have to be a help. Fingers crossed we can have a good race on Saturday and come out of it well and go from there.

I’m hopeful that I would get to ride him in the Grand National. Keith (Donoghue) rides all of Gavin’s, but he is restricted regarding his weight and if he does carry 10st 8lbs that would be out of his reach.

It would be a dream come true if I could win the Grand National on him as it is a race everyone wants to win.

Sunday, Naas

Bottler’secret (1.25pm)

I’ve sat on him a couple of times at home and he has schooled really well. He has a useful enough level of Flat form to his name so you would have to give him a chance. I do think he would handle the ground and the fact that Gavin has decided to start him off in this race shows you what he thinks of him. When I’ve sat on him at home he has done everything well. Gordon Elliott’s horse (Wodhooh) is going to be favourite and he is going to be the marker stick and we will see how close we can get to him. His Flat form would put him in the bracket of being a Triumph Hurdle horse so if he can go and do it he then I imagine he might just go and book himself a little trip across the water.

Lazer Wolf (3.25pm)

He was second on his last and he has been in consistent enough form having also been beaten a length and a half into second at Punchestown earlier this season. He is not the strongest finisher in the world, but he will handle the ground. He would have an each-way chance off 10st 13lbs. I would say he is well enough handicapped off that weight.