Australia: Flying Agent early favorite in Grand National Chase

The last time Flying Agent was beaten in a steeplechase he finished sixth of seven in the Grand National Chase at Ballarat Racecourse in Australia a year ago.

Flying Agent has won two subsequent chases, a record that makes him a strong favorite in the $241,100 Grand National Chase going 2 13/16 miles at Ballarat on Saturday evening across American time zones.

The Grand National Chase, Australia’s top jump race, is the last race on a six-race program at Ballarat that begins at 9:55 p.m. Eastern or 6:55 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Trained by Amy McDonald, the 10-year-old Flying Agent has alternated between flat races and chases in recent months. He won the Thackeray Chase at about 2 1/8 miles at Warrnambool Racecourse on July 3, finished fifth of 11 in a handicap at 1 1/2 miles on the flat at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on July 20, and won the Crisp Steeplechase at 2 5/8 miles at Sandown on Aug. 7 in his final prep for the Grand National.

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In early betting Friday, Flying Agent was the 3-2 favorite compared to St Arnicca at 4-1 and The Cossack at 9-2.

The Grand National will be the first start over tougher obstacles for St Arnicca, who has won 2 of 6 starts over hurdles. He was second to the crack hurdler Saunter Boy in Grand National Hurdle at Sandown on Aug. 7.

The Cossack, a 9-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, was fifth in the Grand National Hurdle on Aug. 7 in his first start in Australia. The Cossack won 9 of 15 starts in New Zealand, but has had only one start in a chase – a win in a maiden race at 2 7/16 miles in June.

*Earlier on the Ballarat program, Stern Idol will be a massive favorite to win his third consecutive race in the $86,120 J.J. Houlahan Hurdle at about 2 1/8 miles. Stern Idol is unbeaten in two starts in hurdles in Australia after being imported from France last fall.

In France, Stern Idol won an allowance race at 2 1/8 miles over hurdles at Dieppe Racecourse in May 2021 in his second to last start in that country.