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Brassil bidding for a second National win

Martin BrassilMartin Brassil
© Photo Healy Racing

Martin Brassil has genuine hopes of claiming his second victory in the Crabbie's Grand National as he prepares to saddle prolific winner Double Seven in the Aintree spectacular.

It is eight years since the softly-spoken Co Kildare handler struck gold in the world's greatest steeplechase, with Numbersixvalverde and Niall 'Slippers' Madden powering clear of another National winner in Hedgehunter.

Numbersixvalverde, who also won the Irish Grand National a year before his Aintree heroics, returned to Merseyside to defend his crown in 2007 and again completed the course to finish sixth.

Hopes of a potential third tilt were abandoned after the gelding was retired due to injury in early 2009, but Brassil's Aintree dreams have been reignited by the performances of a JP McManus-owned eight-year-old.

Double Seven was a fair sort over hurdles, winning four of his 11 starts, but his career over the larger obstacles has been something of a slow-burner. It took the gelded son of Milan 11 attempts before finally getting off the mark in a Kilbeggan handicap chase last June off a mark of just 111, but he has not looked back since.

Brassil's charge would go on to complete a hat-trick at the Co Westmeath circuit, before claiming the Munster National at Limerick and a Listed prize at Wexford to bring up the five-timer.

Having achieved a rating of 146, Double Seven was given a winter break and was assigned a mark of 148 by BHA chief handicapper Phil Smith when the National weights were revealed.

His winning run came to an end when only sixth in the Carrickmines Handicap Chase at Leopardstown in early March, but Brassil is hopeful his charge can bounce back on the biggest stage of all if conditions are in his favour.

He said: "Hopefully the ground will be good or better. He ran okay the last day. If he ran any worse you'd be disappointed, but it wasn't a bad run as he had plenty of weight and it wouldn't be his ground. He took the race well, like he has done all his races, so we'll see how we go."

Brassil admits his latest National candidate is nothing like his bold-jumping previous winner, but suggests that might not be a bad thing due to the changing nature of the race.

"They are two very different horses, but then the race is very different nowadays. It isn't the same jumping test it was and you need that bit more speed to keep yourself in the race. You are getting the classier animals having a go as there isn't the same risk attached to the race as there was in the past," said Brassil.

Reflecting on Numbersixvalverde's triumph in 2006, the trainer said: "It was an incredible day - they are the things you don't even dare dream about. It was Niall's first ride in the National, the horse had a good preparation and had a good run through the race. Sometimes, everything just falls into place - it's like it was written in the stars.

"Double Seven is a good horse, but everyone knows winning the National is like winning the Lottery."