Racing - Chief has National on horizon (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Racing - Chief has National on horizon

4:49pm Tuesday 24th March 2009 in

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CARTMEL trainer Jimmy Moffatt is considering a tilt at the Scottish Grand National next month with stable star Chief Dan George.

Highly-rated when a Group 1 winning staying hurdler, the Chief has been given a low-profile start to his career over fences.

But Moffatt's charge definitely looked to be getting the hang of things when he won cosily by three and a half lengths under Paddy Aspell from a handful of previous winners in Kelso's John Smith's Novices Chase.

That followed up a success at Catterick on his previous outing and the Chief should not be too harshly treated off what he has achieved for the Ayr showpiece.

Moffatt told the racing press: "As long as the going is all right, he will run in the Scottish National at Ayr - I have no worries about the trip (four miles and one furlong).

"I was very happy with him beforehand and I thought he would win.

"He has always been a chaser in the making, but Paddy said he would not want ground any quicker than he has encountered and we will be looking after him.

"He is going to be an even better horse next year."