Wells faces 11 rivals in GN Steeplechase

The Kathryn Durden-trained Wells will attempt a record 4th Grand National Steeple win at Ballarat.

Champion jumper Wells will line up in a capacity field of 12 in his attempt at a record fourth victory in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat.

Wells won the Grand National at Sandown in 2014 before his victories in the race at Ballarat in 2016 and 2017 and shares the record with Bashboy who was successful in 2012, 2013 and 2015.

The Kathryn Durden-trained Wells has been given 73.5kg for Sunday’s race over 4500m, the same weight he had last year when he lost rider Richard Cully early in the race.

Cully has been aboard Wells in two jumps starts this season, recording victories in the Mosstrooper Steeplechase at Pakenham and the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown.

The Patrick Payne-trained Tallyho Twinkletoe will attempt to become the first horse since Mosstrooper in 1930 to win the Grand National Hurdle and Steeplechase in the same year.

Having his first start for Payne, Tallyho Twinkletoe won the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown on August 4, his first Australian start.

The Grand National Steeplechase will be the final race on an all-jumps card and brings the 2019 jumps season to an end.