Black Apalachi ~ 2010 Grand National Runner
The photo above shows Black Apalachi mid-race
The Dessie Hughes trained gelding Black Apalachi fell has had his ups and downs at the Grand National. In the 2008 Grand National he went off at odds of 66/1 but fell at the second fence and despite more preparations in the 2009 Grand National, where he started at 12/1, he disappointed a lot of punters by falling at Bechers the second time round. His short 12/1 odds were as a result of his impressive win over the National fences in the Bechers Chase in November 2008.
He then went on to win the BobbyJo Chase at Fairyhouse where he beat two other leading National contenders - Southern Vic and Snowy Morning, by an impressive 17 lengths.
He made his career beginnings at Down Royal in January 2004, when he was initially trained by Philip Rothwell. By December of the same year, he was switched to hurdles and made his winning hurdle debut at Downpatrick.
The 2005/06 season saw him come fourth in the Cork Grand National, and he then won the Paddy Power Chase over three miles at Leopardstown. His 2006/07 season proved disappointing when he failed to finish better than fifth in five races. The following season he returned under trainer Dessie Hughes, where he gave his best in the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, coming fourth in the Paddy Power Chase, four lengths behind Newbay Prop. This was the lead up to his first Aintree Grand National, where he fell at the second fence.
The 10 year old is now 25/1 in the antepost odds for the 2010 Grand National so could it be third time lucky? He can be inconsistent but when he gives it his all, he is very impressive especially on soft groundso watch for the going and make your mind up closer to the day!
