Davy Russell can follow up Gold Cup heroics with a ‘National’ victory on Seriatim

Davy Russell has half a dozen rides over the weekend at Gowran and Downpatrick and he can follow up last week's Gold Cup victory with a 'National' success on Seriatim tomorrow.

Russell teams up with Seriatim in the €25,000 Ulster Grand National over a marathon three and a half miles that should suit the nine-year-old admirably.

Stamina is the horse’s strongpoint as he showed when winning a novice chase this time last year at Down Royal. On his last start over fences in December, he ran a decent race over two and a half miles at Navan and afterwards looked to put in a sterling performance over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month behind Man With Van.

He didn't impress over hurdles subsequent to that but at his best Seriatim doesn't look harshly treated in tomorrow's feature and he could hardly have a more in-form jockey on his back.

Un Beau Matin has been without a win in almost 16 months and would prefer further than the two and a quarter miles of tomorrow's conditions hurdle but can still emerge best. Gordon Elliott's smart stayer has been mixing it with some high-class horses all winter and is rated to go close against inferior opposition.

Best chance
Patrick Mullins rides Passage Vendome, a first fence faller in the Grand Annual eight days ago, against Un Beau Matin but the champion amateur's best chance looks to come in the bumper aboard Most Peculiar. This one was runner-up to Drunken Counsel at Clonmel last month and can beat Royal Captain.

Mullins's cousin, Danny, can secure a double for himself at his local track in Gowran today. Bishopslough has been creeping up the ratings, and has topweight in the handicap hurdle, but looked to face a very difficult task against Art Of Payroll on his last start and this looks an easier assignment.

Kates Benefit boasts a 130 rating in the mares Beginners Chase, primarily based on finishing only eight lengths off Byerley Babe and Une Artiste in a Grade Two in January, and should be very hard to beat in this company.

Daliyan's maiden success at Clonmel mightn't amount to much but Rodger Sweeney's runner won easily and he can progress enough to land a tricky conditions hurdle.