Willie Mullins might have charge of the ante-post favourite for tomorrow's John Smith's Aintree Grand National, but yesterday he played up the chances of one of Hedgehunter's major rivals.
Hedgehunter is one of 10 Irish-trained horses in the final 40-strong field which was declared yesterday, but it is Tony McCoy's mount, Clan Royal, that has Mullins looking over his shoulder.
"I think with a clear round Clan Royal has as good a chance as I've ever seen in the National, apart maybe from the year Rough Quest won after finishing second in the Gold Cup," said the trainer.
Hedgehunter remains fav -ourite, however, to provide a fourth Irish triumph in seven years. The 2003 winner, Monty's Pass, is unlikely to be suited by the forecast testing conditions, but both Christy Roche (Le Coudray and Risk Accessor) and Arthur Moore (Glenelly Gale and Marcus Du Berlais) are doubly represented.
One of the longshots will be Arctic Copper, who races for the Grand Alliance Racing Club, a syndicate that includes the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen and the former PD leader, Des O'Malley.
Last year's winner Amberleigh House will try to be the oldest winner in over 150 years while Forest Gunner, to be ridden by the woman rider Carrie Ford, is in line to become the sentimental favourite for the big race.
Ford looks certain to make history by going off the shortest-priced of any horse ridden by a woman in the race. The 11-year-old is a general 10 to 1 shot after winning the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock last time and he boasts a 100 per cent record around Aintree.
Forest Gunner won the Fox Hunters' Chase over the big fences for Ford last year and he also scored on the National course in the Grand Sefton Chase last November.
The ground on the National course yesterday was "soft" but the weather forecast is due to improve from this afternoon.
Peter Bowen has solved his jockey dilemma by booking Leighton Aspell for totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Take The Stand. The Pembrokeshire trainer had been in the strange position of needing a rider for his high-profile hope as Tony Dobbin, who rode him in the blue riband, had a prior commitment to Martin Todhunter's Just In Debt. Aspell knows his way around having partnered Pat Murphy's Supreme Glory - who is only fourth reserve this time - to a fine second behind Monty's Pass in 2003.
