Trevor Hemmings believes Ballabriggs can land back-to-back John Smith's Grand Nationals after flying into Donald McCain's yard for a press open day.
Top owner believes his star can repeat the feat
Owner Trevor Hemmings believes Ballabriggs can land back-to-back John Smith's Grand Nationals after flying into Donald McCain's yard for a press open day.
The owner was on hand to make clear his belief that the 11-year-old can make a bold bid to give him a third triumph in the Aintree spectacular.
With entries for the 2012 National due to be released in exactly a fortnight's time, Hemmings put forward his reasons why Jason Maguire's mount has the wherewithal to figure prominently in his bid for back-to-back National glory on April 14.
Hemmings, who revealed that Ballabriggs had enjoyed a leisurely five-month holiday in the same paddock as his other National winner Hedgehunter at his home on the Isle Of Man, pointed to the fact that the gelding has few miles on the clock in terms of the amount of actual races he has contested.
"In order to counter the extra weight he'll be given to carry, he will need to improve, but I would say there is definitely some improvement in him," said Hemmings.
"His jumping was a joy to behold on what was a great day for all of us. Liverpool is special. It has great banter and is perhaps the only place where you'll be insulted and love it!
"However, Grand National day 2011 belonged to Ginger. He was there to see his son do it (win the National) and there were tears in his eyes."
Aintree history
Hemmings was spurred towards his ambition of owning a Grand National winner by the late Fred Pontin, owner of 1971 winner Specify.
"I go back to the early 1970s and remember Fred saying he would leave me that trophy in his will, which he did, so I now have three Grand National winners' trophies," he recalled.
"Realistically though, I think April 14 will be the day when maybe I hand the trophy over to somebody else."
Last year's winning time is also giving Hemmings further hope that Ballabriggs will put up another bold showing.
He added: "It was the second-fastest time in the 164-year history of the race. If he hadn't had to by-pass two fences I think he would probably have beaten Mr Frisk's best figure."
Hemmings admits that when he looks for new horses, foremost in his mind is the hope they will one day face the famous Aintree fences.
"Most horses I go for have to have a glint in their eye of where Liverpool is. Ballabriggs was one of those horses," he explained.
He is thankful to Terry Biddlecombe for describing the closing stages of the National, as a bright sun was obscuring his vision on the big screen in the paddock.
"I stood against the rail and Terry talked me through it. He said I was going to win and that Oscar Time would run out of petrol. I decided Terry Biddlecombe was a brilliant race reader," Hemmings said.
