Ballyholland sparks gamble for Grand National

Andrew McNamara will renew his partnership with Grand National gamble Ballyholland after the horse delighted Colin McBratney in a piece of work at Navan over the weekend.

The pair combined for their biggest-ever win when landing last season's Galway Plate and the trainer hopes the whole town of Crossgar in County Down will be celebrating again on Saturday week.

The nine-year-old has been the subject of sustained support in recent days and his price has tumbled to as low as 20-1 with Boylesports.

McBratney said: "There is a lot of excitement over here. The whole town has got behind us and that's probably where the money has come from.

"It is great for everybody concerned. We went to Navan on Saturday for a piece of work and it was the first time Andrew [McNamara] had sat on him since he won the Galway Plate, and he was really happy with him.

"Ruby Walsh and Robbie Power have also ridden him and they have both said that he feels like a good Grand National horse."

Ballyholland ran well for a long way behind two-mile specialists that included Tranquil Sea in a Grade Two chase at Leopardstown last month, though McBratney is unsure if he will stay four and a half miles.

He added: "His preparation has gone according to plan. I've worked him when I've wanted to work him and had no hold-ups, so we're looking forward to it.

"There is no telling if he will stay or not, but he goes on any ground and his best form has been on a sounder surface."

Another gamble saw Frankie Dettori's odds being cut for the Flat jockey's title as he headed to Lingfield today for four months on the all- weather.

The 39-year-old Italian was a best-priced 12-1 yesterday having been as big as 25-1.