The Hawke's Bay hurdler is lucky to be in Christchurch for the $75,000 Grand National Hurdles after the snowstorm that hit the North Island this week almost ended his campaign or worse. That win costs The Cossack 2.5kg in the weights, and after winning the lead-up race at Riccarton on Saturday, Chief Sequoyah is favourite today. "I think we can still beat him because he didn't beat that much on Saturday," says Nelson matter-of-factly of Chief Sequoyah. "So I think he has a great chance but I also respect The Cossack because he is a good horse." Wednesday's meeting is the second of Grand National week, with the fields for the last day at the same venue — featuring the Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday — to be released late this morning.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 10, 2021 08:26 UTC