“I hit over my weight”

IT’S a true David vs. Goliath tale – but if any race can shock you, it’s the Grand National.

Meet Polly Gundry, the diminutive trainer with just ten horses who takes on the giants of the racing world with her stable star.

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Gundry, who lives in Ottery St Mary, Devon, plans a big upset with a 40-1 shot at Santini.

Under Gundry’s tutelage, the former Gold Cup runner-up rolled back the years to finish second at the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January before finishing eighth at the Gold Cup last month.

Connections now have their sights set on winning the world’s oldest and most famous car chase, the £1million Grand National.

I speak on behalf of sponsors Racingstars.deGundry told Sun Racing: “It’s very special to have a runner in the Grand National but I don’t think I realize how special it is until it happened.

“You just have to treat it like any other race, preparing and shaping the horse as much as possible.

“It’s up to the horse and the jockey Nick Scholfield. If they enjoy it, they will have a great opportunity.

“It would be an amazing thing for me, my family, all my connections, everyone in Devon and everyone who has ever supported me if they could win or finish in the top six.

“People try for years to have a runner in the Grand National let alone something that could make the top six.

“I’m well aware that I’m trying to punch past my weight but I’ve had a lot of experience with some wonderful horses and also some great trainers when I’ve ridden.

“Hopefully I have a rough idea of ​​what we’re aiming for.

“Santini is a good weight in the running of 11st 2lb and it makes Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes, the owners, think the Grand National was a viable prospect.

“He’s a big horse and he wouldn’t worry about carrying a little bit more.

“But pounds mean lengths in races so carrying less weight will definitely help him.

“We have a great opportunity.”

Polly Gundry was supported by Racingstars.de, home of the £1million Grand National Challenge. Enter for £10 and pick a horse at each race in Aintree to win £1million. For more information and to participate, click Racingstars.de. 18+ please gamble responsibly

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