Beauport connections dreaming of Grand National glory

Beauport will be aimed at the Randox Grand National following his 31-length stroll to victory in the Berkshire National at Ascot on Saturday.

Given his owners Bryan and Philippa Burrough have tasted Aintree glory before back in 1983 with the Jenny Pitman-trained Corbiere, heading back with a live chance in April was always on the cards.

He claimed the Midlands National in March off a mark of 140, won on Saturday off 144 and has been hiked another 12lb by the handicapper this week.

Beauport is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and his son and assistant Willy feels it is all coming together now for the eight-year-old.“ I think Aintree has to be the target now, his owner Bryan has won the race before and he’ll be very keen to have another go,” he said.

“I’m not sure what we’ll do in the interim, maybe give him a couple of runs over hurdles until the weights come out.“I thought he was seriously impressive, it’s the best he’s jumped and it was back to the sort of form which saw him win the Colin Parker a couple of years ago. He showed the horse he can be.“

He’s just had a few niggles along the way and the odd confidence issue, but obviously when he won the Midlands National at Uttoxeter, he was very good and then nothing went right for him in the Scottish National – that was much more like it on Saturday and what we expect most of the time.“ He’s obviously a very talented horse and he’s going the right way.”