Northern Alliance, the intended mount of Barry Geraghty in Saturday’s feature John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree, is by no means a certain starter having suffered a stone bruise in training earlier this week, writes Elliot Slater.
The Tony Martin-trained ten-year-old is reportedly no better than 50-50 to make the big race as connections wait and see whether or not the bruise will heal in time to allow the Naheez gelding to take his chance and race again with horse racing Ireland betting favourites. Martin has suggested that he might not make a final decision until the day of the race itself giving the gelding every chance to be sound, and confirmed that in terms of fitness there are no worries with the horse spot on having been trained to the minute for the big event.
Northern Alliance is generally a 33/1 shot to land the Aintree marathon (having been 50/1 for a hot betting tip only last week) and represents a trainer who is a master at laying a horse out for big handicap races. Third to In Compliance in the Cashel Chase at Thurles in February, the winner of six of his 32 career starts had previously chased home Dooneys Gate at Clonmel and comes into the Aintree race having generally performed well this term without managing to get his head in front.
Should Martin wait until the day of the race and then withdraw Northern Alliance his late defection would not allow for any of the reserves to get a run, a point that could cause some controversy, but Martin is perfectly within his rights to give his charge every chance of overcoming the minor setback and run in an event his trainer has been eyeing for him for well over a year.
If he decides not to declare Northern Alliance at the final stage then Howard Johnson’s Royal Rosa would most likely be the principal beneficiary in sneaking into the race in 40th position.
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