Adrian Heskin: I was absolutely gutted when he fell in the Welsh National
Wild West Wind
It is fair to say that I was absolutely gutted when he fell in the Welsh National, and not just because I ended up having X-rays in the local hospital afterwards. But both horse and I were okay, which is the main thing, and we lived to fight another day. Wild West Wind was jumping and travelling supremely well before his mistake at Chepstow so, even at the relatively early stage of the race, I felt I was going to be involved in the finish. And when you look at how the form of his previous trial win at Chepstow in December worked out then you have to think he would have been.
He beat Alfie Spinner and Milansbar that day, and the runner-up finished second to Raz de Maree, with the third winning the Classic at Warwick last time out. Off just a 6lb higher mark here, I think he is still fairly handicapped, and a test of stamina and heavy ground is what my fellow wants. This is a competitive renewal and you have to respect all the opposition, most obviously the Becher winner Blaklion, but I hope I won’t be far away. I schooled him on Thursday morning and he doesn’t seem any worse for that Chepstow fall. As for his Grand National chances, let’s get this race out of the way first, but I think soft ground is important to him wherever he goes.
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