PRESTEIGNE-based trainer Richard Lee says conditions will dictate whether his two Grand National entries line up on the day.
Currently Lee has both Hector’s Choice, owned by Welshpool-based businessman James Potter, and Welsh National winner Le Beau Bai entered for the biggest event in the horse racing calendar.
The trainer knows the difficulties involved with the race having previously seen Samuel Wilderspin fall at the fifth fence in the 2002 national despite starting as favourite.
Lee revealed that Le Beau Bai will only take part in the April 14 race if the ground is “very, very, heavy” while Hector’s Choice’s participation is also as yet unconfirmed.
He said: “He’s got an entry, I wouldn’t put it any stronger than that at the moment. He’s not experienced yet but we had to make a snap decision.”
Le Beau Bai’s next outing will be the Grand National Trial at Haydock, on February 18, a race in which he finished third last year.
Lee is also entering Knock a Hand in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 14 and he is confident about his chances.
He said: “He’s a lovely horse and he could go a long way.”
He added: “He’s unbeaten in three runs over hurdles and he’s won all of them. He’s only ever won on fast ground but then we’ve only ever run him on fast ground.
“He won point to points in Ireland before he came to us and that was on good ground so I don’t think it is desperately important but we will find out.”