Andy Win will line up for his Grand Final this Sunday, with the $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat the next challenge for the jumper, following his tough victory in the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown on August 2.
While he appeared to be labouring early in the race, he dug deep to produce a determined finish under Tom Ryan to claim the prestigious feature.
“I do believe if the track was softer, just a slower tempo, he would have been more comfortable,” trainer Shane Jackson said.
Andy Win had recently qualified to race over the bigger jumps at Coleraine on July 20, and Jackson felt the experience may have contributed to his early tentativeness at Sandown. With steeplechase races generally run at a slower tempo, he believes the longer trip and bigger obstacles could play to Andy Win’s strengths.
Andy Win toughs it out in the Grand National Hurdle
The Grand National Steeplechase is now firmly on the agenda, with Andy Win reported to have pulled up “good as gold” following his Sandown victory and has enjoyed some time at the beach ahead of his final assignment.
“He won’t be doing much before Sunday, but we’ll bring him down to Ballarat for a school down their steeplechase lane,” Jackson said.
“They have five beautiful fences in a row there, a longer strip with more jumps than at home. We’ll get Tommy Ryan to come down and have a sit on him and get his eye in over the bigger ones before his grand final for the season.”
It will be a fitting finale to a standout season for Andy Win, who has continued to thrive over the jumps and now has the opportunity to a rare Grand National double to his record.
“I’m delighted with everything he’s achieved so far this season and hopefully we have one more big day before the season ends,” Jackson said.