Le Reve to go for Crabbie's Grand National, according to Lucy Wadham
Sunday 21 February 2016 19:43, UK
Lucy Wadham is eyeing the Crabbie's Grand National for progressive performer Le Reve, who has been allotted 10st 8lb for the £1 million contest at Aintree on Saturday April 9.
The eight-year-old is a 33/1 chance with Sky Bet and was last seen when successful in the Betfred Masters Handicap Chase at Sandown in early-February, when he stayed on strongly up the hill under Harry Skelton to score by two and a quarter lengths from Pete The Feat, with Unioniste back in third.
Paul Nicholls' Unioniste has since boosted the form by winning at Kelso.
Earlier this season, Le Reve chased home National hope Kruzhlinin in a three-mile handicap chase at Kempton in January when he went down by five lengths.
Wadham said: "I was very happy with the weight of 10st 8lb which was allotted to La Reve. It gets us into the race and is a nice racing weight.
"We might go for the BetBright Chase at Kempton (February 27) beforehand with him. The owner (Pat Betts) is not completely sold on the idea of going to Aintree, so that is still slightly a work in progress and if Le Reve didn't go for the National, he would go back to Sandown for the bet365 Gold Cup.
"I wouldn't be worried about the ground for him as he is very versatile. We gave him a little wind operation after his first two runs this season and it has just taken him a little bit of time to get his confidence back but his form is working out well and I am very keen to get him to Aintree.
"He is only an eight-year-old and entitled to improve a bit more."
If successful at Aintree, Wadham would become the only fourth female trainer to saddle a Grand National winner following Jenny Pitman (Corbiere, 1983 & Royal Athlete, 1995), Venetia Williams (Mon Mome, 2009) and Sue Smith (Auroras Encore, 2013).
