CHAMPION fencer Bashboy will attempt to capture a third Grand National Steeplechase in Ballarat on Sunday.
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He will also be pursuing a third Crisp and Grand National Steeplechase double.
The Ciaron Maher-trained 11-year-old has dominated the winter jumping scene since 2012.
He completed the Crisp and Grand National double for the first time in that year and repeated the dose in 2013, when he was in freakish form.
Bashboy also took out Mosstrooper Steeplechase at Bendigo and Thackeray Steeplechase at Warrnambool for four consecutive wins in that campaign.
In 2014 Bash Boy again saluted in the Thackeray and Crisp, but lowered his colours to Wells in the Grand National.
Maher has again followed the same pattern with the veteran.
And who could blame him.
He has resisted tackling some of the early jumping features and it has been a highly successful approach.
Bashboy went off the back of a flat hit-out in Ballarat and two steeple trials at Cranbourne to score in the Thackeray Steeplechase at Warrnambool for a third year in a row and then, after failing to finish the Mosstrooper for a second time in as many years, take out the Crisp Steeplechase at Warrnambool.
Maher will learn on Wednesday what weight Bash Bay will have to carry, but he is certain to have the top weight.
He won with 68.5kg in 2012, 72.5kg in 2013 and had 74.5kg when beaten into second position a year ago at Sandown.
In his latest run this preparation, Bashboy carried 71kg.
The $250,000 Grand National Steeplechase, 4500m, has attracted 13 nominations for its first running at Sportsebet-Ballarat.
The classic is traditionally run at Sandown, but had to transferred with a series of other meetings after the Sandown racing surface was deemed not suitable for winter racing.
Eric Musgrove has three nominations and Patrick Payne two, including Mosstrooper winner and former Kiwi galloper Sea King, last-start.South Australian hurdle winner No Song No Supper.
Thubiaan heads Musgrove's assault.
He has already won three major steeples this season. He led off with the Von Doussa at Oakbank amd then won the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool in May and followed up with victory in the Australian Steeplechase in Ballarat.
The Ballarat Turf Club meeting also features the JJ Houlahan Hurdle, 3400m.
Nominations:
Grand National Steeplehase: Bashboy. Dumosa, Geeceegazza, King of Dudes, King Triton, Mannertone, No Son No Supper, Sea King, Sparton, Thusbiaan, Urban Explorer, Zataglio, Zuhayr
JJ Houlahan Hurdle, 3400m: Angelology, Antoher Legend, Cross Constance, Fieldmaster, No Song No Supper, Practiced, Stand To Gain, Tuscan Fire, Urban Explorer, Vatuvei, Westsouthwest, Zataglio, Zuhayr