John O’Connor eyes upset with Bold Zamour in Grand National Steeplechase

VETERAN horseman John O’Connor is confident local chaser Bold Zamour can upstage short-priced favourite Angelology in Saturday’s $50,000 Grand National Steeplechase (3500m) at Morphettville.

The Murray Bridge trainer said his Grand Annual Steeple runner-up is in great shape for the Adelaide feature.

Bold Zamour is on a seven day back-up after chasing home River’s Lane on the flat at Morphettville last weekend and O’Connor said he was more than happy to see the horse closing strongly late against superior flat opposition.

“His sectionals were very good last week and I couldn’t be happier with the horse,’’ O’Connor said on Friday.

O’Connor said he was extremely proud of Bold Zamour’s effort when narrowly beaten by No Song No Supper over the gruelling 5500m journey in the Grand Annual at Warrnambool in May.

“I couldn’t have asked for any more than what he did at Warrnambool,’’ O’Connor said. “It’s a thrill to have a horse competitive like he as at this level, they aren’t easy to find nowadays.

“He handles the wet. The only concern I have is dropping back 2000m to the 3500m but Angelology does have to give him three kilos.’’

O’Connor said the Victorian Grand National Steeplechase over 4500m in Ballarat in late July would be the horse’s finale in season 2016. “That’s his Grand Final, that the race we’ve marked down for him,’’ he said.

“You don’t get many chances to get a horse like this, so I’m lucky to have him. When he came to me he was on the verge of the knackery, and I’ve been able to get him winning and almost winning a Grand Annual. I’m sure he’ll run a big race again.’’

Fellow Murray Bridge trainer Grant Young will saddle up Spying On You in the feature while he will also have his first runner in Sydney on Saturday when Adelaide Cup runner-up Tunes tackles the $100,000 Stayers Cup over 3200m.

Young has booked local jockey Thomas Huet to ride the seven-year-old at Randwick.