Trainer Eric Musgrove believes he has Conzeal close to his Great Eastern Steeplechase-winning form of three months ago for tomorrow's Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington.
A dual Grand National Steeplechase-winning trainer, Musgrove has nursed the 10-year-old through a long campaign and believes he now has him ready to
show his best again.
Conzeal has had six starts since winning the Great Eastern at Oakbank on March 24 including his brave third to Grand National rival Ginolad in Warrnambool's Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) four runs back on May 1.
Musgrove said that after those runs Conzeal got behind in his program, hence last week's fifth in the Crisp Steeplechase when beaten 20 lengths by Geeorb and his previous start sixth in the St Steven Steeplechase at Moonee Valley.
"I was actually a bit light on him after the two big races [Great Eastern and Grand Annual]," Musgrove said.
"He has been a run behind but he will be pretty close to his top on Saturday. It is difficult to keep them up such a long time but I'm happy with him."
Last year Conzeal finished second in the Crisp and fourth in the Grand National.
Betting agency Betstar isn't keen on Musgrove making it three wins this year and last night quoted Conzeal as one of the outsiders at $20.
Toulouse Lautrec dominates the market at $2.15 ahead of Crisp Steeplechase winner Geeorb ($3.20) who is the only horse seriously given a chance of beating the favourite - and history.
Diwali (1983) is the only horse to complete the Crisp-Grand National double, but he had the Crisp taken off him after returning a positive swab.
Toulouse Lautrec has an imposing formline going into the National with an unbeaten record in four steeplechase starts, including the Australian Steeplechase last start.
- AAP
