Hammersly Lake heads raiders in America's premier jumps race

Preview: USA, Saturday BST 8pm

Far Hills (New Jersey): Grand National Hurdle (Grade 1 jumps) 2m5f | turf | 4yo+

America's premier jumps race, the Grand National Hurdle, takes place on Saturday at Far Hills in New Jersey, with significant interest from across the Atlantic in the shape of three runners trained in Britain and Ireland.

The $400,000 contest over two miles five furlongs, which was called the Breeders' Cup Chase in a former life, has attracted a field of eight, and a crowd of 40,000 is expected as the annual raceday reaches its 97th year.

Brian Hughes rides the morning-line favourite Hammersly Lake for trainer Charlie Longsdon and owner Robert Aplin. The three combined in the race last year with third-placed Sharp Rise, who died in the US the following month due to complications following a course of antibiotics.

Hammersly Lake has won three times since April, claiming a 2m4f handicap chase at Perth on his most recent outing last month.

Hughes said: "It's hard to weigh up the form with the American horses but he won well last time and has a bit of class on his day."

The Emma Lavelle-trained Casino Markets, the mount of Ross Geraghty, has his third US outing after coming fourth to the reopposing All The Way Jose last time in the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory at Belmont Park.

Speaking just before boarding her flight on Friday afternoon, Lavelle said: "He's loving life out there and is in great order, and hopefully he can pick up a bit of prize-money to pay for the costs.

"Belmont suited him better than Saratoga last time and from what I can gather Far Hills should suit him even more as it's a galloping track and the ground, while very fast, should be a touch easier."

Joseph O'Brien has dispatched last season's Topham Chase runner-up Katnap, the mount of Davy Russell.

O'Brien said: "He's been over there since last week. He's well and we're hoping he might pick up a bit of prize-money. It's a big pot."

The former Jessica Harrington-trained Modem takes his chance again after finishing second, beaten a length and a quarter, behind All The Way Jose at Belmont, while two other members of the home contingent – Jamarjo and Mr Hot Stuff – will be ridden by Paul Townend and Danny Mullins.

Irish interest extends to the $125,000 Foxbrook Champion Hurdle on the same card as Gordon Elliott runs Zanjabeel, the mount of Jack Kennedy, who finished third in a Flat race over seven furlongs on the beach at Laytown last month, while Townend and Mullins have rides on US-trained runners Lachares and New Member.

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