McBratney hoping Port can Storm to Ulster National glory Colin McBratney is hoping for a big show from Portstorm in the Randox Ulster National at his local track, Downpatrick, this afternoon. The Shirocco gelding has made three starts for McBratney since joining him from Scottish based handler Ian Duncan and ran well to finish second over hurdles at Punchestown last month. He remains unexposed over fences, having had just three runs, and is currently 7/2 favourite for the marathon three-and-a-half mile contest. "I liked him very much coming from Ian Duncan - he ran nicely in a couple of good beginners' chases (at Fairyhouse and Punchestown). Then he was second in Punchestown three weeks ago,” said the Crossgar handler. "He'll definitely stay and he has a nice racing weight. He's a soft-ground horse and is a good jumper." A competitive field of 15 runners line up for the race with Keith Watson's charge Amaulino bidding to repeat his victory in 2019. The nine-year-old has been competing in the point-to-point field this winter and won his penultimate start at Belharbour Last year's Irish National winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin will be represented by the lightly weighted Thunderosa. The Westerner gelding was a three-time winner over hurdles and shaped with promise when third in a decent handicap at Navan last month. Gavin Cromwell runs two and Spades Are Trumps is currently trading as second favourite at around 5/1. The Yeats gelding disappointed when sent off favourite for the Cork National back in October but showed a bit more after a break when fifth in a rated novice at Fairyhouse in January. Cromwell also saddles another interesting contender in Peaches And Cream, who was last seen finishing a fine fourth to Run Wild Fred in the Troytown Chase at Navan in November.
