Aintree beckons for War Of Attrition who has been given a 20/1 Grand National quote by Sky Bet after winning his first race in over a year switched to hurdles at Gowran Park on Thursday.
The 2006 Gold Cup winner lowered the colours of last season’s World Hurdle third Powerstation in the 3m Grade 2 event under a canny front-running ride from Slippers Madden.
Winning trainer Mouse Morris nominated the National as the big target for his veteran chaser in his swansong season and he is set to give him one more run as part of his prep for the famous race.
Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: ‘He was among the leading fancies for the National last year until ruled out by a last minute injury and his win here shows he is no back number at the veteran stage of his career.’
Secant Star, who fell at the last with the race at his mercy on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown, made amends at the second time of asking in the Ballyhane Stud Maiden Hurdle.
A foot perfect round of jumping saw Willie Mullins’ charge romp home by seven lengths in the opener and Sky Bet reacted by trimming his Triumph Hurdle odds into a top priced 14/1 from 16s.
2010 Grand National betting, Sky Bet:
16/1 Tricky Trickster, 20/1 Niche Market, Vic Venturi, War Of Attrition, Big Fella Thanks, Black Apalachi, Possol, 22/1 Backstage, 25/1 Mon Mome, Gone To Lunch, The Package, Dream Alliance, Silver By Nature, Can’t Buy Time, State of Play, Comply Or Die, Character Building, 33/1 Irish Raptor, Hello Bud, Treacle, Notre Pere, My Will, Arbor Supreme, Butlers Cabin, 40/1 Hennessy, 50/1 Pomme Tiepy
Each-way terms: ¼ odds first 4 places