Grand National hopefuls in action
15 March 2002
Potential Aintree horses in the spotlight at Uttoxeter this weekend
The focus switches from the Cheltenham Festival to the Martell Grand National at Uttoxeter on Saturday wheneight Aintree hopefuls line up for the Marstons Pedigree Midlands Grand National.
However, it may be an Irish horse, The Bunny Boiler, who was put in the Grand National but failed to meet the qualifications, that leads them all home in theStaffordshire mud.
The Noel Meade-trained The Bunny Boiler looked all set for victory last time at Gowran Park only to tip up and leave the way clear for Charlie Swan’s This Is Serious, who has advertised his Aintree claims with a win in the Eider Chase at Newcastle.
Tony McCoy rides Streamstown for Middleham trainer Ferdy Murphy, but top weight may prove their undoing in the heavy conditions.
Peter Beaumont, who saddled Hussard Collonges to win the SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday, brings out Niki Dee, third to Papillon in the National two years ago, in the Anthony Farmer Memorial Chase. A good run would secure Niki Dee’s return ticket to Aintree.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Read more about the 2002 Grand National:
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
