Wednesday, 14 April 2010

Report From Alan Kings Yard


Alan King will rely on 2008 runner-up Halcon Genelardais in Saturday's Coral Scottish Grand National, with Nenuphar Collonges likely to wait for Punchestown next week.

Halcon Genelardais finished 14 lengths behind 66-1 shot Iris De Balme when carrying top weight of 11st 12lb in the race two years ago and although he will have at least 11st 9lb this time, his mark has slipped from a career high of 169 to a current rating of 150.

The 10-year-old has only raced twice this season, most recently when seventh to Dream Alliance in the Welsh National at Chepstow after Christmas.

King said: "I have to confirm it with the owners, but I think Nenuphar will wait for Punchestown. There is a three-mile-six-handicap chase he should get into.

"The plan for Halcon Genelardais is to go to Ayr. Like a lot of people, I am slightly worried about the ground up there, but I think he will take his chance. It is the lowest mark he has had for a long time and I would hope he can run well."

Halcon Genelardais is a 20-1 shot with the sponsors, who have trimmed last year's narrow runner-up Gone To Lunch to 12-1 from 16-1.