Mathew Gillies makes perfect return aboard The Big OpalRace ImagesThe almighty scar that graces Mathew Gillies' forehead is a snapshot of the courage jumps jockeys' possess. Ngario and Wellington Hurdles winner Wee Biskit​, who skipped the Sydenham, will fight out favouritism for Wednesday's Grand National Hurdle. Presuming The Big Opal takes his place in Saturday's Grand National he will have to step up from the Koral distance of 4250 to 5600m. Gillies was widely tipped to miss Riccarton's Grand National Carnival following a nasty fall in the Wellington Hurdles that saw him suffer a heavy concussion. The field for Saturday's Grand National could potently thin out considerably from the 12 runners who started the Koral with Zenocoin​, Mr Mor and Mister Deejay also failing to finish.

Source: Stuff August 07, 2016 05:48 UTC