Cork trainer eyes Irish Grand National for Anyway

Cork trainer Ken Budds made his mark at the Cheltenham Festival with his horse, Anyway. This was Budds' first entry at the prestigious event, where Anyway was a long shot at 125/1 in the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase. Despite the odds, Anyway surprised everyone by finishing in second place out of 19 runners. The only horse to beat him was Caldwell Potter, trained by Paul Nicholls. Following this impressive run, Budds is now looking ahead to the Irish Grand National. This race, set for next month, offers a grand prize of €500,000. Budds praised Anyway's performance, explaining that he faced a strong competitor in Caldwell Potter. He also noted that Anyway had been in good form leading up to the race, which justified his high rating. Budds believes Anyway might have the potential for the Irish National, depending on the ground conditions. He noted that the horse is strong and consistent, which could help him in longer races. Budds' connection to legendary jockey Davy Russell has played a role in Anyway's training, with Russell riding him during preparation for Cheltenham. Budds expressed his excitement about having his first runner at the festival and declared it a thrilling experience. He sees the success of Anyway as a significant achievement and appreciates the support from the owners and connections involved in the horse's journey.