Dun Deal For Doire And Philson

Connections of Dun Doire and Philson Run breathed a sigh of relief as their horses made the cut in a maximum 40-strong field for the John Smith´s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

This morning´s defection of Cornish Rebel brought the Irish-trained Dun Doire into the line-up, while Ollie Magern´s expected absence though lameness saw last year´s fourth, Philson Run, given another chance.

Dun Doire´s trainer Tony Martin said: "It would have been disappointing for everyone concerned if he hadn´t got in.

"I´m very happy with him and he´s as good as we can have him. If he gets luck in-running hopefully he´ll put up a good show.

"We haven´t over-raced him. He´s had a couple of runs over hurdles and he was second in a chase the last time.

"He´s well, he´s fresh and he´s going there off an ideal preparation. I hope he´s good enough to run a good race."

Nick Williams, responsible for Philson Run, was another happy man.

"We had trained the horse the whole year for one race and we´d have had egg on our face if he hadn´t got into the race," said the Devon trainer.

"Last year was a delight. Three out I felt he would be in the first three but he slightly emptied.

"In a perfect world we would like to see more rain. It takes some of the speed out of the race if there is some cut.

"He jumped well round there last year and he jumped around horse that fell in front of him. I´ve very pleased with the wellbeing of the horse," Williams told At The Races.

By contrast, Cornish Rebel´s trainer Lisa Williamson tried to hide her disappointment.

"Unfortunately he´s just got a problem with one of his feet," she said.

"We´ll just give him a few days and try to get him sound again.

"I´ve taken him out of the Scottish National as he was out of the handicap there."

Kim Bailey´s Longshanks, seventh last year, will not run again this season after it was certain he would not make the top 40.

The trainer told his website, www.kimbaileyracing.com: "Proof of how much Aintree has improved is highlighted by the fact that a horse like Longshanks, who is rated 136 and running off a weight of 10st 6lb does not get in.

"Longshanks will now be retired for the season."

There are four horses on standby, should any in the line-up be declared a non-runner by 9.30am on Friday.

The reserves, in order, are: Ardaghey, Joes Edge, In The High Grass and Ossmoses.

Ante-post favourite Cloudy Lane features among the maximum field as the Trevor Hemmings-owned eight-year-old bids to give trainer Donald McCain jnr a fairytale success by continuing the family tradition.

His father, Ginger, saddled four National winners - triple hero Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977) and Amberleigh House four years ago.

Hemmings has also tasted National glory before with 2005 winner Hedgehunter, trained by Willie Mullins and one of the owner´s three runners this year, the other being Idle Talk from the McCain stable.

Bewleys Berry fell at Becher´s on the second circuit last year but Howard Johnson´s charge has got round the famous course twice when finishing runner-up in the last two renewals of the Becher Chase.

Owner Graham Wylie believes the 10-year-old could go close, granted a clear round of jumping.

"He´s never been fitter, according to Howard, and has been to the beach nearby for a tank along the water´s edge," he said.

"You need to be very lucky, as always, in the National. He was jumping well last year and he just got a bit spooked by a loose horse at Becher´s second time around and crumpled on landing.

"I´ll just be hoping he gets a clear round - if he gets that, I don´t think he´ll be far away."

John Smith´s Grand National

Totesport bet: 5-1 Cloudy Lane, 9-1 Slim Pickings, 10-1 Comply Or Die, 12-1 Bewleys Berry, Simon, 14-1 Chelsea Harbour, 16-1 Butler´s Cabin, 20-1 King Johns Castle, McKelvey, 22-1 Mr Pointment, Point Barrow, 25-1 D´Argent, Dun Doire, Hedgehunter, Mon Mome, Philson Run, Snowy Morning, 33-1 Bar.

Reserves (in order): 100-1 Ardaghey, 33-1 Joes Edge, 100-1 In The High Grass, 66-1 Ossmoses

Paddy Power bet: 5-1 Cloudy Lane, 10-1 Comply Or Die, 11-1 Slim Pickings, 12-1 Simon, 14-1 Bewleys Berry, Chelsea Harbour, 16-1 Butler´s Cabin, King Johns Castle, Mr Pointment, Snowy Morning, 20-1 Hedgehunter, McKelvey, Point Barrow, 25-1 D´Argent, Dun Doire, Mon Mome, Philson Run, Turko, 33-1 Bar.

Reserves (in order): 66-1 Ardaghey, 33-1 Joes Edge, 66-1 In The High Grass, 40-1 Ossmoses

(C) PA Sport