Calgary Bay has ground for optimism

The three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer feels it is unnecessary to give Aintree hopefuls a pop over home-made National-style fences as part of their training for the April 14 race.

Her husband Terry Biddlecombe rode for Fred Rimell, who saddled four winners of the great race, while three-time victor Tim Forster was a neighbour of hers. Both stuck to conventional training methods for their Liverpool horses.

Calgary Bay, the intended mount of Guiseley-born Dominic Elsworth, won a competitive handicap at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

He then confirmed his National credentials by defying top weight to land Doncaster’s Sky Bet Chase at the end of January.

“Calgary Bay is in great shape and definitely going for the National,” said Knight who would become the third female trainer, after Jenny Pitman and Venetia Williams, to land steeplechasing’s most famous race.

“I don’t believe in that, in putting them over home-made National style fences. Tim Forster was my neighbour. He trained three Grand National winners (Well To Do, Ben Nevis and Last Suspect) and never had any of his horses jump one of those in his life.

“And Terry said Fred Rimell (ESB, Nicolaus Silver, Gay Trip and Rag Trade) was the same. If they jump them, they jump them. He jumped them all right last year until he jumped too well and landed on his nose at the fourth.”

As for the going, Knight would prefer good ground. “I know it’s dry and some people are worried about it but it will suit him. I don’t think they are going to get much rain at Aintree, but he’ll love it,” she said.

Her philosophy is shared by Malton’s Malcolm Jefferson who has no plans to school Rowland Meyrick winner According To Pete over National fences.

Meanwhile Knight’s Somersby could bid to end his season on a high in the Bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown on April 28.

The eight-year-old is set to drop back to two miles after only finishing seventh to Riverside Theatre in the Ryanair Chase over an extra five furlongs at the Cheltenham Festival.

Somersby and Elsworth had previously opened their Grade One account with victory in the Victor Chandler Chase over two miles and a furlong at Ascot.

Bryan Smart has still to decide on the first race of the season for Tangerine Trees as his Group One-winning sprinter gears up for the new campaign.

The Hambleton trainer may get one run into the Prix de l’Abbaye winner, and 2011 Yorkshire horse of the year, ahead of a tilt at the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

“He’s very well and he looks fabulous,” said Smart. “We’re upping his work. I’m not sure exactly where we’re going yet, but he’s coming along where I want him to.

“You’ve got to go for the five-furlong Group Ones. Ideally he’ll have one run before the King’s Stand.

“The horse is coming along. I’ll let him come to hand and the sun is helping him. He won first time out last year so it’s not a worry and I’m very happy with him.”

Paul d’Arcy feels Edinburgh Knight holds big claims in Saturday’s William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster, the first major race of the 2012 Flat season.

The five-year-old signed off last season in great form, winning a handicap at Ascot over seven furlongs before winning over a mile at Kempton. “He’s done some really good work and he’s ready, I don’t need to do any more with him,” said the trainer.

One leading rider missing the Lincoln meeting will be Richard Hughes – runner-up to Malton’s Paul Hanagan in the 2010 title race.

Hughes, stable jockey to champion trainer Richard Hannon, failed in his application to the BHA not to reciprocate a 50-day suspension given to him by the Mumbai stewards in mid-February for not riding to instructions, an offence not punishable under British rules.

Racing’s rules mean suspensions can be applied globally, and the Hughes ban does not end until April 29 when he can expect to be at least 25 wins behind the title pacesetters.

Malton’s Andrew Tinkler is two winners away from equalling his best season of 43 victories, achieved back in 2003-04, after Up To The Mark prevailed at Ludlow yesterday.