Grand National Build Up Continues

The John Smith’s Grand National meeting at Aintree is now less than a fortnight away and there is plenty of interesting news for punters to assess before choosing their wagers.

The first snippet of information came from Tony McCoy who declared his intention to ride Don’t Push It in the event this year.

McCoy steered the Jonjo O’Neill-trained eleven-year-old to a famous victory last year but doubts were expressed over his decision to keep the ride in the forthcoming race after the horse was lumbered with top weight of 11lb 10lbs. The partnership also faces the daunting task of repeating the feat of Red Rum in trying to claim back-to-back victories in the National.

However, McCoy has declared his intention to partner up with the horse given the current dry ground conditions and expects another bold show on the faster surface.

Unfortunately, for the Champion Jockey, the most recent weather forecasts seem to indicate a changing in weather patterns might bring rain to the track over the next few days and the clerk of the course has announced that water will be applied to the surface to ensure good to soft going.

In other news, Ruby Walsh has announced that he will ride the Willie Mullins-trained ten-year-old The Midnight Club. The popular chestnut gelding is the currently ante-post favourite and is now sure to attract further support in the betting market as a result of the partnership with the two-time National winning jockey.

Meanwhile, concerns that Barry Geraghty might miss the National following a bad fall at Newbury over the weekend have eased. The jockey will take the next week off to rest and recuperate but will be back in action in plenty of time for the National even though he has not yet confirmed his ride for the race.