THE Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Ablaze has set the local jumping world on fire winning the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday and setting himself for the National double at Ballarat in a week’s time.

A winner in May of the Grand Annual Steeplechase at just his second go at the big obstacles, Maher had high praise for the Raise The Flag nine-year-old. “I’ve never won a Grand National Hurdle so it’s a big thrill. It’s a great job by the team and a fantastic ride by Shane Jackson. He could potentially be the best I’ve had,” he said.