Character Building ~ 2010 Grand National Runner
The photo above shows 2010 Grand National Runner Character Building (on left). The horse is considered a strong contender for the 2010 race.
Character Building, owned by John Wright, who was brought up almost next door to Carlisle racecourse, was considered a sure bet for the 2009 Grand National. Bearing in mind that the last Grand National winner from Yorkshire was nearly 50 years ago, the people of the county were excited to have the grey as such a definite for the race. Bred to be a steeple-chaser, Character Building was the 12-1 third favourite prior to the big race. He had been placed second twice, third and fourth once in all of his bumpers. The nine year old has been raced lightly, and in April 2006 won the Toteplacepot Novices' Hurdle at Sedgefield and at the end of the year won over fences in the Beginners Chase at Warwick.
By March of 2007 he really showed what he was made of at Cheltenham by coming second to Jonjo O’Neill-trained Butler’s Cabin in The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup. By March of 2009 he had proved he was one of the big guns by winning the Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, while Butler’s Cabin came in fifth. It was a cool ride where jockey Jamie Codd settled Character Building towards the rear early on, made steady progress, and pushed his mount out to hold off Pretty Star by a length.
Following this win the John Quinn-trained horse became one of the leading contenders for the Grand National, but Quinn pulled him from the race after sustaining a stone bruise. He did not race again that season, but for many he is the ideal Aintree type – a great jumper with lots of staying power. After a good rest, he is a hot contender for the 2010 Grand National.
