Wakanda Set For Scottish National

Wakanda is set to swerve the Grand National and feature in the Scottish version despite winning the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.

Saturday’s race was all about former National winner One For Arthur’s continued comeback from a lengthy absence, which got off to a poor start when failing to finish at Aintree last month.

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And, while the 10-year-old again failed to complete at Haydock when bowing out four fences from home, it was a good afternoon for Wakanda who handed trainer Sue Smith her fourth win in the race.

Speaking after the 10-year-old’s win by a length and three-quarters from Robinsfirth, jockey Danny Cook said: “He’s a very good stayer who jumps great and travelled great today.

“Even when he got in tight to one or two of the fences, he picked himself up and was very quickly away from them – so I knew I was in for a good ride even at that early stage. “He’s got a great attitude, and did it well.”

On a possible Wakanda Grand National outing at Aintree in April, Cook added: “Maybe the Scottish National. I’m not so sure about the Grand National for him.”