SALVADOR Ziggy and Seddon are set to represent Ireland in the American Grand National in Far Hills, New Jersey, next Saturday.

The extended two-mile-five-furlong contest was won by Hewick 12 months ago but Shark Hanlon ruled his stable star out of the race last week.

Gordon Elliott won the race for the first time with Jury Duty in 2018 and has a strong chance of a second success with the Kerry National runner-up.

“Salvador Ziggy ran a great race in Listowel and I think this race could really suit him,” Elliott said. “I think he ticks a lot of boxes for the race. He is an easy going sort of horse and he’ll handle the ground. He has enough pace to drop back to the trip and we’d be very hopeful of a big run.”

John McConnell has targeted Seddon at the race since he won at the Cheltenham Festival last season. The 10-year-old has been transformed since he joined the Co Meath yard, with four straight wins last season which also included a big handicap hurdle success at the Punchestown Festival. McConnell reported that all of his owners in the Galaxy Racing Syndicate are intending to travel.

“It’s exciting and something different,” said McConnell.

“He’s most definitely been a star and a horse of a lifetime for his syndicate, myself and Ben (Harvey, jockey), so anything from here on in is a bonus.

“It was an exciting opportunity to have a go at and hopefully he comes home safe and if he runs his race I will be happy.

“He jumps very well whether it is hurdles and fences so I don’t think that will be a problem and nice ground and the trip will be OK. I suppose it all depends on how he settles in but we’re very hopeful.”

It will also be a big afternoon for jockey Ben Harvey who has struck up a fine partnership with Seddon and will be riding for the first time in America.

“Ben rides him and he’s looking forward to it,” continued McConnell.

“Obviously he has never ridden over there before but he’s a good judge of pace and we wouldn’t have anyone else on him at this stage.”

Raiders from Britain and Ireland have a fine recent record in the Far Hills feature with Hewick using the race as a stepping stone to bigger and better things last year and McConnell has been given plenty of advice from Hewick’s handler John ‘Shark’ Hanlon ahead of Seddon’s cross-Atlantic adventure.

He added: “Shark paved the way and I’ve had a good chat with him about it.

“He has been very helpful and in fact everybody has been really helpful to us along the way and I just want to get see him get on the track and get it over with now.”

Gordon Elliott is also bringing over three horses on the undercard at Far Hills. Speaking to press at the races last week, he said: “We have four going over all together with Calico in a fillies’ race, Kyogo is going for a juvenile hurdle and Say Goodbye for a mares’ hurdle. There is great prize money.”