Australia: Norway, finding his stride over the jumps, tops Grand National Hurdle at Sandown

Norway, an Irish-bred gelding by Galileo, has had a diverse career on two continents. In 2019, Norway was eighth in the Group 1 English Derby and third in the Group 1 Irish Derby when trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Since early 2020, Norway has been based in Australia with several leading trainers. He was winless in his first 11 starts before winning his debut over hurdles in a maiden race at Warrnambool Racecourse on July 4.

Norway won the $73,900 Brendan Dreschler Hurdle at 2 3/16 miles at Pakenham on July 18 in his second appearance over obstacles, and will start in his richest race over hurdles in Sunday’s $183,475 Grand National Hurdle at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne.

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Norway, now trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, will be tried over a new distance of 2 5/8 miles. The Grand National will be a stamina test considering Norway tends to run near the front. Robbie’s Boy and Instigator, second and third in the Dreschler Hurdle, are part of the Grand National field.

The Grand National Hurdle drew a field of 10, including Saunter Boy, who races over hurdles and in long-distance flat races. Saunter Boy, also trained by Maher and Eustace, won a two-mile handicap hurdle at Warrnambool on July 4 and closed well for third in a handicap at 1 3/4 miles on the flat at Flemington Racecourse on July 17.

Sandown has a nine-race program that begins at 9:45 p.m., Eastern, or 6:45 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The opening race on the program is the $73,300 Crisp Steeplechase at 2 5/8 miles. Social Element, the winner of three consecutive starts over fences, will start in the longest race of his career against Flying Agent, who was fifth behind Norway in the Dreschler.