A return visit to Aintree and another crack at the John Smith’s Grand National has been top of the agenda for Black Apalachi from the moment the bold front-runner unseated his rider at Becher’s on the second circuit when leading the 2009 field, writes Elliot Slater.
 
It was still too early in the race to say with any degree of certainty, but there is absolutely no doubt that Dessie Hughes’ Old Vic gelding was still going strongly and could have well have finished amongst the front four.
 
Training plans for the eleven-year-old have been specifically tailored around another bid for the Grand National, and after having a seasonal pipe-opener over hurdles at Leopardstown in January, Black Apalachi returned to fences for the first time since April to run a tremendous second to stable companion and one of his fellow Grand National Runners Vic Venturi in the Grade 2 Attheraces Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse recently.
 
Hughes could barely conceal his delight with the way both his Grand National Race Horses had performed and it was no surprise to see bookmakers on both sides of the Irish Sea react immediately by cutting Black Apalachi to 16/1, making him joint second-favourite for the Grand National with some firms. It should also be noted that Black Apalachi gave 5lbs to Vic Venturi at Fairyhouse, but the pair are set to meet off level weights (having been allocated 11st 6lbs) at Aintree.
 
Black Apalachi, winner of the 2008 Becher Chase over the unique Grand National fences, is capable of handling any ground and his front-running style means that there is every chance of him avoiding fallers and other incidents during the hurly-burly of the National. But for coming down at the 22nd fence on his last visit to the track, he could well be going to Aintree as the defending title holder.
 
There are plenty of good reasons for believing that the 2010 renewal could be a golden opportunity for Black Apalachi to gain due compensation.