Monty´s Pass ready for National tilt

Connections of Monty´s Pass are expecting the 11-year-old to make a bold bid to repeat last year´s memorable victory in the Martell Cognac Grand National on Saturday.

Jimmy Mangan´s stable star has not won over fences since landing the biggest gamble in the history of the Aintree showpiece with an impressive 12-length call over Supreme Glory last April.

Monty´s Pass, who has warmed up for the Grand National with two outings over hurdles this year, will race off a mark 14lb higher on Saturday but Mangan said: 'He´s in great form. I couldn´t ask for better. I´ve been very happy with his preparation.

'He ran well in Naas over two miles in a novice hurdle when David Casey rode him and David was pleased with him. He came home well so another two and a half miles and the big fences will be a big help.'

When asked if he thought Monty´s Pass could become the first horse since Red Rum in 1973 and 1974 to record back-to-back wins in the great race, County Cork-based Mangan said: 'It´s not impossible. He loves it over there. He´s been there twice. He was second in the Topham and he won last year. So all going well

and a clear round he´ll run a big race.

'The good ground will also be a big help to him.'

Mangan is hoping current top weight First Gold is declared for the Grand National at tomorrow´s final declaration stage.

He said: 'I´m hoping First Gold will stay in tomorrow otherwise I´ll go up another 3lb. He left for Aintree this afternoon. He´s a good, clean-winded horse and will just have a light canter once he gets to Aintree.

'He´s as fit as he´s ever going to be and we are hoping he will do it again.'