28 February 2024 , 10:44
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Michelle Mone’s Grand National ‘gift horse’ is ready to return to action.
Monbeg Genius, one of the leading candidates for the big race at Aintree in April, is set to have his first start since early December at Kelso on Saturday. He has been entered in the £50,000 bet365 Premier Chase at the Scottish track for which he has been installed 2-1 favourite by William Hill.
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained chaser was bought for £80,000 in 2020 on behalf of entrepreneur and Tory peer Mone who gave him to husband Doug Barrowman as a wedding present.
He has won five of his 11 starts, earning £81,000 in prize-money, and is a 16-1 chance for the Grand National.
His eligibility for the big race had been uncertain after the freezing of £75 million of assets controlled by the couple by a court order obtained by the Crown Prosecution Service, as part of an investigation into PPE Medpro, a Barrowman-led company.
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Enquiries were made by the BHA who released a statement declaring that “horses in the ownership of Barrowman Racing Ltd are not affected by the restraint order and are therefore permitted to continue to race.”
Monbeg Genius last raced in December, finishing third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and also has an engagement in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
O’Neill’s son and assistant AJ said: “Monbeg Genius goes for the Premier Chase at Kelso on Saturday and if he comes out of that well he could take in the Ultima at The Festival before going to the Grand National.
“The way he ran in the Ultima last year, you’d think he is open to further improvement.”