Popular Grey Set For Another Campaign

Posted by Andy at Bet1015.com on 24/08/2013

Connections of Chicago Grey will be hoping it is a case of third time lucky if their mount lines up in the 2014 Grand National in April.

The Gordon Elliott-trained jumper has had two shots at the world famous steeplechase so far and has failed to finish the course and distance on both occasions.

In 2011, he was unfortunate to be brought down at the fifth when near the rear of the field in the race won by another grey in Neptune Collognes.

Then, earlier this year, he was fancied to avenge that disappointment as he was backed into odds of 11/1 in the betting before the off. However, there were no excuses this time as Paul Carberry was forced to pull his mount up before the last when tailed off after a series of blunders.


Despite the poor run in Merseyside, the grey was given a shot at the Punchestown Gold Cup just three weeks later but it looked like the Grand National run had taken it out of the 10-year old. He was pulled up two out in the race won by the favourite of the runners, Sir Des Champs.

Chicago Grey's best run last season actually came over 2m4f when he upset the odds at Navan, scoring at 25/1 in a Grade Two steeplechase.

Elliott's runner was the outside of the four in the race that included odds-on favourite, Rubi Light, 5/2 shot Hidden Cyclone, and Foldubh, who was ahead of him in the betting.

However, the grey was given an intelligent ride by jockey, Davy Condon, who tracked his rivals in the early stages before leading at the second last and staying on well to land the spoils.