Donald McCain: My view on the National weights

Donald McCain / Donald McCain / 14 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Ballabriggs has been allotted 11-9 as he bids for a second Grand National success.

"My father always argued that there should be some sort of ‘Aintree factor’ and having been brought up in an era of previous Grand National winners having big weights, I really can’t complain....."

With the Grand National weights announced this morning, read Donald's thoughts on his three entrants here.

Although Ballabriggs has been given a big weight [11-9], I am not surprised and I certainly haven't got a problem with it.

My father always argued that there should be some sort of 'Aintree factor' and having been brought up in an era of previous Grand National winners having big weights, I really can't complain.

He's won the race before, he's a big strong horse who can carry the weight and the fact he is proven at Aintree offsets a couple of extra pounds.

I fully expect him to carry top weight on the day but, as I say, it isn't a surprise and all we can do is get him there in the best shape we can.

I am hoping to give him a racecourse gallop at Haydock at the weekend and then it's hopefully on to Kelso in early March for his reappearance.

Weird Al has been given a fair weight [11-8] but, to be honest, I am not thinking any further than the Cheltenham Gold Cup with him.

Obviously we will have to have a look depending on what happens there but Cheltenham is the main target.

Wymott [10-2] would have a nice racing weight if he was able to get in but I would think it was unlikely that he would get a run.