Coleman retains Mon Mome hopes
January 31, 2012 09:47:07 UK
Grand National winner Mon Mome's followers are looking for all the help they can get on the horse's future after a series of 'in and out' performances this term.
His jockey Aidan Coleman was left drooling over the 12-year-old's Cheltenham performance on New Year's Day when he finished second to Mostly Bob, but trainer Venetia Williams' enigmatic gelding produced a shocker at Haydock lat week.
I think he'll have one more race, maybe over hurdles, and then all roads lead to Aintree.
Aidan Coleman
He was pulled up at the eleventh behind According to Pete in the Grade One three-miler to disappoint Coleman, who has been regularly singing his praises.
However, he is refusing to give up on the old boy and in his blog on Racing UK he tells the horse's followers to draw a line through that particular run.
Mon Mome is generally available at around 33/1 for the National - a situation which those who are ready to take Coleman's view on board will find quite extraordinary.
He writes: "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.
"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 is 51.00 to win a second Grand National, having previously triumphed in 2009, with BallaBriggs 12.00 and Synchronised 8.00.
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