While a host of Grand National Hurdles prospects will be put through their final paces at Riccarton tomorrow, Stephen Ralph has opted to stay closer to home with Thenamesbond.
The Pukekohe trainer has elected to run the rising 7-year-old on the flat at Avondale today before confirming the jumper's passage south.
"He feels ready and we expect him to run very well," Ralph said yesterday. "As long as he does that and comes through the race well, he will fly down to Christchurch on Sunday or Tuesday."
Leading jumps jockey Michael Mitchell has first refusal of the ride on Thenamesbond in next Wednesday's feature at Riccarton.
Apprentice Viktoria Gatu will take the mount on the China Cat gelding in the Rosebank Business Association 2100 at Avondale. Thenamesbond has displayed his versatility with a flat win over 2200m under Gatu at Te Aroha last month.
