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Grand National Steeplechase aspirant Ablaze kicks off his campaign on the flat at Sandown.

Star jumper Ablaze kicks off his campaign at Sandown with the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable eyeing off the Grand National Steeplechase. 

Ablaze endured an 18-month campaign after arriving from New Zealand in 2019, going on to win eight of his 12 starts including the Jericho Cup, Grand Annual Steeplechase and Grand National Hurdle. 

The rising 10-year-old returns in the Tile Importer Handicap (2400m) on Saturday having not started since finishing second in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat last August. 

That was Ablaze's only defeat in six jumps races since joining the Maher and Eustace stable. 

Declan Maher, who runs the team of jumpers for his brother and Eustace, said Saturday's race was a nice starting point for Ablaze who had some minor surgery after his last start. 

"He had a couple of little things and needed a joint cleaned up which is probably standard for horses that run over those extreme distances," Maher said. 

"He had two months out, a month on the water walker and then he's come back to Ballarat. 

"He's been very sound, very happy and he's ready to get going again. 

"Sandown is a nice forgiving track, a nice galloping track whereas he would have to run next week in an open handicap at Flemington, so it's an easier option this week." 

Maher said the stable was planning two jumps starts for Ablaze ahead of the $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on August 29. 

Ablaze will be joined by another of the Maher and Eustace jumpers, Saunter Boy, in Saturday race. 

Saunter Boy, winner of the Australian Hurdle at Sandown at his most recent run, is being aimed at the Kevin Lafferty Hurdle (3200m) at Warrnambool on July 4. 

"He's going very well," Maher said. 

"He had a nice hurdle trial last Friday which was a gallop for his race on Saturday and this race will be his major piece of work for the run down at Warrnambool."