Grand National: Mon Mome team remain upbeat about veteran's chances

Grand National / Timeform / 27 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Mon Mome and Liam Treadwell in 2009.

"Mon Mome was hating the ground at Haydock from the word go..."

Venetia Williams is on the lookout for a race next month for Mon Mome following his disappointing performance at Haydock last weekend.

The 2009 Grand National winner had run two highly encouraging races since returning from a lengthy absence, finishing fifth over hurdles at Haydock before running second in a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham.

He was expected to be a big player on his return to Merseyside for the Peter Marsh Chase, but looked to be struggling in the testing ground before pulling up.

Venetia Williams said: "He's fine and he might run again somewhere next month. Where, I'm not quite sure yet."

Jockey Aidan Coleman remains confident that the veteran can earn himself another tilt at the Grand National, for which he currently trades at [50.0].

"Mon Mome was hating the ground at Haydock from the word go last week, and I know it looked like we stopped abruptly but I was just looking for the right place to pull him up," Coleman said in his Racing UK blog.

"All his best form is on good to soft and soft, and I wouldn't read anything into that performance apart from that he hates heavy, bottomless ground.

"I think he'll have one more race, maybe over hurdles, and then all roads lead to Aintree."

Mon mome ran to a Timeform figure of 159 when winning the Aintree showpiece, but the 12-year-old's current master rating is some 12 lb lower.