Sine Nomine ‘in good heart’ ahead of Haydock spin

Fiona Needham is hopeful for a change in fortunes for Sine Nomine ahead of her Haydock Grand National Trial bid.

The grey shone on the biggest stage of all when landing the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season, making her trainer one of the few to enjoy success in the race both in and out of the saddle after her victory as a jockey in 2002 aboard Last Option.

This season, the mare returned to action under rules to contest the Listed Bud Booth Chase at Market Rasen, but was out of luck when parting company with jockey John Dawson five fences from home.

A month later, she lined up for the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby, this time under 5lb claimer James Turner, but again luck was not on her side as she stepped at the penultimate fence and took a tumble when looking to be staying on.

A trip to Doncaster for the Great Yorkshire Chase was then scuppered by the drying ground, so Needham is hoping it will be fourth time lucky for the nine-year-old when she travels to Haydock for the Oddschecker Grand National Trial at the weekend.

“It’s been very frustrating really, but she’s in good heart. She schooled the other morning and went very well, so we have our fingers crossed,” Needham said.

“She seems in good form, it’s such a shame Doncaster dried out last time, but we’ll see.

“Everything seems to have gone wrong so far this season, whereas last season everything just went right!

“I’m looking at the forecast and it’s due to get cold again, but fingers crossed it’s not too cold and something finally goes in her favour.”

Sam Thomas’ Jubilee Express was the runner-up in the Welsh Grand National just after Christmas and now heads back to a track that has been lucky for him in the past.

He won a handicap over the same course and distance on soft ground towards the end of last season and connections will be hoping conditions are similarly testing come Saturday.

“That is the plan, but it’s maybe not going to be as soft as we like,” Thomas said of the race.

“He is a course and distance winner and it’s an ideal-looking race, we couldn’t be happier with him.

“There are some great races for these staying types, he’s got a real will to win and he’s the most genuine horse.

“Hopefully he can have a nice clear round and put his best foot forward, then he’ll come home near the front at the finish, fingers crossed.”

Jubilee Express is prominent in the market and the horse who beat him, Mel Rowley’s Val Dancer, is also entered to take his chance at Haydock.

Venetia Williams has two entrants in Royale Pagaille and Fontaine Collonges and so too do Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, who have put forward Fortunate Man and Iron Bridge.

The Irish contingent is headed by Gavin Cromwell’s Yeah Man, who could travel over alongside Gordon Elliott’s Where It All Began.

On the same card is the Grade Two WKD Rendlesham Hurdle, where Elliott has another possible raider in Beacon Edge.

Nicky Henderson’s Impose Toi is entered alongside two horses from Ruth Jefferson’s yard in Kerryhill and Sounds Russian.

Kerry Lee’s likeable Nemean Lion has his name on this list and so too does Donald McCain’s Maximilian, who has not run since spring 2023.