He might be getting on a bit these days, but even at 12-years-old Black Apalachi remains a leading contender for the forthcoming John Smith's Grand National at Aintree, a race in which he put up such a tremendous performance last year to be a gallant runner-up to Don't Push It, writes Elliot Slater.
That wasn't the first time the gelded son of Old Vic had run well at the idiosyncratic Liverpool track. Indeed, 12 months earlier Black Apalachi had been clear of the field when coming down at Becher's second time round and many observers felt that had he stood up he may well have gone close to defeating eventual 100/1 winner Mon Mome. In November 2008 Dessie Hughes' grand stayer had put up a performance that had regular Aintree fans drooling, when landing the Totesport Becher Chase by no less than 74-lengths, possibly the widest margin of victory in modern times. That had proven to be a significant improvement on his first encounter with the Aintree fences when Black Apalachi got no further than the second fence in the 2008 Grand National won by Comply Or Die.
Ever since his brave effort in 'the world's greatest steeplechase' in April last year, Dessie Hughes has had a repeat attempt at the forefront of his calculations. Probably taking into account the age of his horse, Hughes has chosen to keep Black Apalachi at home and keep him as fresh as possible for a spring campaign. Doubtless, following the publication of the weights for the race, Hughes will give his contender at least one outing before the big event itself for which he is currently quoted at odds of around 25/1. Anyone with a Grand National free bet to place shouldn't rule him out.
The racing public love Grand National specialists who keep on trying, such as Greasepaint or Suny Bay, and Black Apalachi is sure to have his supporters in April, many of whom will not have forgotten his brave effort last time around.
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