Alner mulls over Rembrandt options
Robert Alner is considering entering Sir Rembrandt in the John Smith’s Grand National after his stout display at Warwick on Saturday.
The 10-year-old, who fiished third behind Kicking King in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, stayed on strongly on the run-in to take second place behind Eurotrek in the totesport Classic Chase.
After a disappointing start to the season, Alner feels Sir Rembrandt, who fell five fences from home when travelling sweetly in the Coral Welsh National on his penultimate start, is coming to hand nicely for a big spring campaign – which could include taking in the Gold Cup, where he also finished runner-up to Best Mate I 2004, and the Grand National.
“He’s fine and came out of the Warwick race terrifically – he’s eaten everything up,” said the Dorset-based handler.
“How he stayed on yesterday just goes to prove what may have happened in the Welsh National if he had not have fallen.
“He does have this ongoing muscle problem but it was great to see him back on track.
“He’s 10 now and although I haven’t picked a race for him, we’ll be looking for a return to the track sooner rather than later.
“I’ve always said he’s a spring horse and there’s plenty of options, including the Gold Cup.
“We might even enter him in the National, but we’ll have to see.”
