- Successful new trainer Kerry Lee runs Bishops Road in the Grand National
- Get the latest news on this live Aintree contender
Kerry Lee hopes to crown a memorable first season as a trainer with victory in the £1million Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday April 9 with Bishops Road.
The Herefordshire handler has enjoyed a string of big-race successes since taking over the licence from her father Richard at the start of the season, including a first Grade One triumph with Kylemore Lough in the Ryanair Gold Cup Novices’ Chase at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday.
Bishops Road has been another success story for the stable with a 100% record since being bought out of Henry De Bromhead’s yard in September for £32,000 at Goffs sales.
The eight-year-old has registered two impressive victories in heavy ground, scoring by 17 lengths over two and a half miles in a handicap chase at Sandown Park on January 2 before relishing the step up to three and a half miles to win the Grade Three Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase by nine lengths at Haydock Park on February 20.
Owner Alan Halsall, a director at Aintree, has had two previous runners in the Crabbie’s Grand National, with Longshanks faring best of the pair when finishing seventh to Silver Birch in 2007.
Bishops Road has been allotted a weight of 10st 3lb in the Crabbie’s Grand National and while not yet guaranteed to make the cut, should get into the maximum field of 40.
Lee said:
“It’s all systems go towards Aintree with Bishops Road.
“I’ve been very happy with him since Haydock. He has schooled over Grand National-style fences and everything is going to plan.
“I’m not at all worried about ground conditions. Aintree always produces beautiful ground and I am very happy to be going there. We just need nine horses to come out.
“Jamie Moore (jockey) is working his socks off to get back from injury in time for Aintree and I am quite confident he will be there.”
Three female trainers have landed the Crabbie’s Grand National, the most recent being Sue Smith in 2013 with Auroras Encore.
Venetia Williams sent out 100/1 outsider Mon Mome to triumph in 2009, while Jenny Pitman succeeded with both Corbiere (1983) and Royal Athlete (1995).
