Connections Favouring National Forest Gunner may try to improve on his fifth place in the John Smith´s Grand National next April if conditions are suitable. The 11-year-old ran a tremendous race in the Aintree spectacle last season, finishing fifth in the hands of trainer Richard Ford´s wife, Carrie, off 10st 7lb. He had previously landed Haydock´s Red Square Vodka Gold Cup in gritty style having won the Grand Sefton Chase over the National fences in November. 'I feel he´s in for a difficult year - he´s not getting any younger. He´s going to have more weight to carry and he´s only a small horse,' said the Tarporley handler. 'You can´t win a race at Haydock of that value and not go up in the weights. 'The Topham trip is a bit short for him now, it´s a bit too speedy for him, but in the National he was running on vapours from a long way out. 'Carrie had him in the perfect position and gave him every opportunity to get the trip. 'He didn´t get it last year so I don´t see why he should get it next year. 'He was well in at the weights. It was a very strong race and Hedgehunter was very impressive and he´ll be very hard to beat again next year granted a clear round. 'Our horse will be very difficult to place but he adores Aintree - so he will be entered again. It may turn out to be the best option for him but the weather may determine things in the end. 'If the ground was very deep then he would go for the Topham instead. 'Carrie assures me that she´s not going to ride anymore, but I never believe what she tells me! 'Peter (Buchanan) has ridden him twice and has won on him twice so it would be nice if we could keep that going, but we will have to see if he´s available. 'The National is a long way off and there´s plenty of time for things to go wrong.' Forest Gunner has already won the Fox Hunters´ Chase in addition to the Grand Sefton over the National fences and is well on course to make his seasonal reappearance in the totesport Becher Chase at Aintree on November 20. 'He´s fine and is going straight for the Becher Chase. He´s having a similar preparation to last year,' added Ford. ? PA Sport
