Phil Kirby targets Grand National with big-money buy Blaklion

Phil Kirby has received a big boost after it emerged on Monday that Randox Health Grand National contender Blaklion has joined the North Yorkshire trainer.

The ten-year-old, who won the 2016 RSA Chase and the following year's Becher Chase, raced as recently as Saturday at Haydock for Nigel Twiston-Davies but is switching stables, having been bought by Darren Yates.

Blaklion finished fourth in the 2017 Grand National but was brought down at the first fence last year.

He has been allotted a weight of 10st 12lb for this year's race and is a 33-1 shot generally, although bet365 go a standout 50-1.

"It's really exciting to have him and he's been bought to run in the National by an existing owner who is trying to build a nice team of horses to run in the big races," revealed Kirby.

"The deal has only just been finalised and he's not arrived at the yard yet, but we'll speak to Nigel Twiston-Davies as he knows the horse very well and see where we go before the National."

Yates, a property developer from Lytham, splashed out 150,000gns on one-time smart juvenile South Seas last October for Kirby to run on the Flat and is best-known in racing for winning £550,000 for a £59 bet on Frankie Dettori's Magnificent Seven at Ascot in 1996.

Phil Kirby: trainer has worked wonders with Lady Buttons this seasonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Kirby has had a great season, with talented mare Lady Buttons winning four valuable races, and is delighted to increase the quality at his stable.

"We want to have good horses and are getting there slowly, and horses like Blaklion help bring it along quicker," he said.

Blaklion was previously owned by Simon Such and Gino Paletta, who also had The New One, and Twiston-Davies said of the loss: "It's very sad as he did great things for us and was really one of the family."

Don't miss the Racing Post Cheltenham Festival Guide 2019 – 208 pages featuring Paul Kealy's race-by-race guide, Racing Post Ratings, top tipsters, bookmakers Q&A, trainer analysis and much more. Order now at racingpost.com/shop or call 01933 304858

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards