KEY POINTS:
The unusual quick back-up for the Grand National horses is weighing on Mark Oulaghan's mind only half the time.
It's the half when he thinks about the chances of The Jolly Dancer in tomorrow's $70,000 PGG Wrightson Grand National Steeplechase.
Oulaghan was left sitting in the spot all
trainers were praying for - to produce the favourites for the two Grand Nationals - after The Jolly Dancer and Yourtheman won on the first day of the meeting on Wednesday.
The Manawatu trainer is not concerned Yourtheman has to back up so quickly for tomorrow's gruelling race, but he's aware that's new territory for The Jolly Dancer.
"Yourtheman's been there before and managed it, but I'm not so sure about the other horse," he said last night.
Neither horse won by a wide margin on Wednesday, but Yourtheman lost his advantage when he ran out to get the right stride in at the last hurdle.
Despite the narrow victory, he looked to be doing the job comfortably.
The Jolly Dancer got home by a bit more - but regular rider of the pair Tom Hazlett said it wasn't as easy as it looked.
"He was out on his feet at the 200m," said Hazlett.
That said, Oulaghan is a master at conditioning jumpers for the longer staying contests.
He will have left just the right amount of improvement in both horses.
Oulaghan said both horses appear to have come through their wins physically well.
He sees Wednesday's runner-up I'manace as the possible danger.
I'manace hasn't had the tough racing background for conditioning that some of the others in the race have managed so the better the footing the better his chances in tomorrow's marathon.
Wednesday's effort was his first steeplechase this preparation.
He loomed up to The Jolly Dancer on the home bend and the difference between the pair in the run to the line from that point was the better conditioning of the Awapuni visitor.
"You'd think he'd have to be improved by that," confirmed trainer Sandy Dravitzky.
The Jolly Dancer has predominantly the same field to beat this time, but Yourtheman faces a couple of fresh runners.
Arreviderci is among them and Mark Oulaghan is wondering if he may not be the toughest to beat.
Arreviderci has had only three hurdles races for two wins and an unplaced effort when sixth on debut a little more than a year ago in heavy ground at Trentham.
It will be a superb training performance by Jeff Lynds if Arreviderci lands the money.
The horse's three runs over fences have been at 2900m, 2800m and 3100m.
This time he has to go 4200m with the pressure on throughout.
Another factor could be the footing. Everyone was hoping for a little drying out after a rain-filled week, but showers are forecast for today.
Arreviderci's best form has been away from heavy, testing tracks.
He will be given every assistance from the saddle, being ridden by Melbourne-based super horseman Brett Scott.
Blackheart was only 1 1/4 lengths from Yourtheman on Wednesday and as the Hawkes Bay Hurdles winner he deserves a lot of respect.
Great Northern winner Just Not Cricket is also lurking dangerously.
TAB prices: Hurdles: $2.60 Yourtheman, $7.50 Wolf Pack, Arreviderci, $8 Just Not Cricket, $9 Blackheart, $11 Spirit Of Alaton, $14 Vinopolis, $16 Montezuma, Zagata, $21 Bold Trader, $31 Kidunot, Not In The Avenues. Stpls: $3.60 The Jolly Dancer, Captain Jingle, $5 I'manace, $7.50 Just A Swagger, $8 No Hero, $11 Primo Canera, Dan Moran, $18 Nicholman.
GRAND HOPES
* Mark Oulaghan was three from three on Wednesday and presents the favourites for both Grand Nationals tomorrow.
* Oulaghan is not worried about Yourtheman backing up so quickly, but is not sure how The Jolly Dancer will cope.
* The TAB has opened up Captain Jingle as joint favourite with The Jolly Dancer in the Steeplechase.