Iris Camp Planning Another National Raid

Trainer Sean Curran wouldn't be one of the better known names in the National Hunt sphere but he shot to fame when sending out Iris De Balme to a shock 66/1 success in the 2008 Scottish Grand National. Now, he's hoping to provide another surprise with the same horse in the 2010 John Smith's Grand National, writes Elliot Slater.

An astounding 26lb out of the handicap when stunning the racing world with his success at Ayr, Iris De Balme went on to prove that run no fluke when finishing a highly creditable fourth to Monkerhostin in the Bet365 Gold Cup. Sadly, the French bred gelding broke down badly after the race and had to be sidelined for nearly two seasons.

When Curran ran his 10-year-old at Wetherby in early February in a novices' hurdle and the old boy shaped well, fading only approaching the final flight, there was no hiding the delight of all concerned. A planned tilt at Newcastle's Eider Chase in preparation for a crack at Grand National failed to materialise when that race was abandoned so Curran is on the lookout for a suitable opportunity to get a run over fences into his table star before Aintree.

Off his allotted mark of 10st 6lbs, Iris De Blame is by no means guaranteed to be one of the Grand National 2010 Runners and there will be a great deal of nailbiting from all the Curran team before the horse they have nursed back to fitness following such a serious injury can be confirmed in the starting line up.

Iris De Balme has shown his very best form on a decent surface, so the fast, galloping Aintree circuit on 'good' ground would be absolutely ideal, according to Grand National 2010 betting tips , for a horse who has not had a great deal of racing and has already proved he is a thorough stayer.