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Grand National target for Morning Assembly

Morning AssemblyMorning Assembly
© Photo Healy Racing

Pat Fahy is hoping talented performer Morning Assembly will make the Crabbie's Grand National field at Aintree on April 9.

The nine-year-old, who was Grade One-placed as a novice chaser, missed all of last season through injury but finished second at Fairyhouse last month on his return.

His trainer said: "The Crabbie's Grand National is the long-term plan for Morning Assembly.

"I was delighted with his run at Fairyhouse. You would have to think he would come on an amazing amount for that effort as he was never off the bridle and we never really pushed to get him fit. We used that race to get him fit and it did. He had been off for almost two years and he wasn't under any pressure, so hopefully is back to his best.

"He is not too high in the handicap at the moment so we are thinking of going for one of the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival and then on to Aintree. He is in the Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham but we will have a good look at the handicaps as he seems on a good mark at the moment.

"He is also in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock Park (February 20) which we have considered, but if he ran there he wouldn't be able to go to Cheltenham and I think the owner (Clipper Logistics Group Ltd) would like to take in Cheltenham and Aintree with him.

"I won the Grand National Trial with Nuaffe (1994) and would love to win it again, so it is always an option.

"I think he is exceptional on soft ground. He beat Don Cossack over two and a half miles on goodish ground so he is capable on it, but he wouldn't want any jar on the ground.

"When he was third in the RSA Chase it was good ground and I think he just hasn't got quite the pace when it is like that whereas he can really cruise on softer ground. He got very jarred when he was third at Punchestown on his last run as a novice and had to miss last season, so I wouldn't want to run him on that kind of ground again.

"I would say he would get the trip fine in the Grand National and is such a good lepper, although you never know how they will take to the fences at Aintree.

"I hope we can get to Aintree with the horse 100 per cent, the right sort of ground and a decent weight. If we do, I think he would have a good chance."