Barrow target pointing at Aintree
Monday, 15 January 2007 13:22Leopardstown scorer Point Barrow will be entered in the Irish and English Grand Nationals but is more likely to head to Aintree than Fairyhouse.
Pat Hughes' nine-year-old became only the fifth horse in the last 25 years to win the Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase carrying top weight under a brilliant ride from Timmy Murphy.
Although Point Barrow's next run should be over timber, the John Smith's Grand National on April 14 is currently Hughes' long-term ambition for the talented chaser.
'Aintree will be just the job as he stays so well,' said the County Carlow handler.
'He'll be entered in both the English and Irish but at the moment, I'd be coming down in favour of Liverpool.
'I haven't even mapped out a programme yet but that was always in the back of my mind. He'll have a break for a couple of weeks now and could then run over hurdles and then we'll see where we are.'
Point Barrow, who won the Irish National last season, was cut by most firms from 33s to 20-1 to win this year's Aintree marathon over four and a half miles.
