PRESTEIGNE horse trainer Richard Lee hopes it could be a case of third time lucky at next month’s John Smiths Grand National.
The world famous national hunt at Aintree represents the pinnacle of the horse-racing season for many owners, trainers and jockeys.
And among the contenders on Saturday, April 10, will be Presteigne-trained seven-year-old Le Beau Bai.
Having entered horses in two previous Grand Nationals which both failed to finish, the Presteigne-based trainer is confident the highly-rated Le Beau Bai will put an end to that trend.
“We have had a horse pull up and another fall, so hopefully Le Beau Bai will be third time lucky,” said Lee.
“It all depends on the weather and ideally we need some rain – but at seven-years-old he still has plenty of time to win major races.”
A few months ago Le Beau Bai came third in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow and won the Hope House Hospice Handicap Hurdle in Bangor, beating AP McCoy on Money Order.
Preparations for the Grand National showpiece continued with Le Beau Bai also running in the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock last month.
Mr Lee added: “He is a good horse and continues to get better.
“We will check the conditions before the national but he has shown himself to be in good form this season.”
Lee has been based in Presteigne for 32 years and has been delighted at the recent renaissance enjoyed by the sport this side of the border.
A new national track was opened near Llanelli last year while Welshpool-based horse owner James Potter is to build his own stables at the famous Leighton Hall.
The trainer currently works with Mr Potter which ended seventh in his most recent outing at Huntingdon.