HIGHLAND Lodge and Just a Par, both trained by James Moffatt, are among the initial 112 entries for April’s Grand National.
The pair both have previous experience of the famous handicap at Aintree, with Highland Lodge coming to be regarded at something of a course specialist at the Merseyside venue thanks to his string of good showings in the Becher Chase.
The 13-year-old was a faller in last December’s renewal of the Becher, having won and finished second previously, but that has not deterred Cartmel-based trainer Moffatt from including him among the initial entries for the Grand National.
Highland Lodge ran in the world-famous handicap in 2017, but was affected by the unusually-warm weather on the day and was pulled up by jockey Henry Brooke on the second circuit.
Just A Par, who moved to Pit Farm Stables last summer, has had two runs in the Grand National during his time in the care of 10-time National Hunt Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls.
The 12-year-old finished 15th in 2016 and 14th in 2017, along with a seventh-place finish in his first race for Moffatt in last year’s Becher.
Just A Par finished second in the Grade One Sefton Novices Hurdle at Aintree in 2013 too.
The weights for this year’s Grand National are due to be revealed next Tuesday, with the first scratchings deadline being on February 26.
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