Harald's no soft touch
Connections of King Harald are praying the ground dries up for the gelding to take his chance in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday week.
The 10-year-old, whose career has been dogged by injury, was forced out of the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham through a pulled muscle.
He had booked his place at the Festival by making all the running over four miles at Doncaster in February.
“He won’t run if it’s soft, that’s our worry,” said trainer Mark Bradstock’s wife, Sara. “He has recovered from pulling a muscle in his groin the day before Cheltenham but at the same time, it would probably have been soft for him.
“It was a shame as he was in very good form. Since his leg injury he doesn’t go on soft ground. We’d love to go to Ayr on good ground but if it’s soft he won’t go.
“It can dry up quite quickly at this time of year and that’s why we’re not writing it off.”
King Harald, allotted 9st 7lb in the long handicap, is generally available at 14-1 for the extended four-mile marathon.
