Morning Assembly ready for National service Pat Fahy is convinced he has the right horse for the Crabbie's Grand National in Morning Assembly. The nine-year-old spent almost two years on the sidelines but has returned as well as ever and heads to Aintree on Saturday on the back of a fourth in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. "Morning Assembly was quiet in himself after Cheltenham, so we gave him a few days' break, but he's back in good form now," said the Co Carlow handler. "The National has always been his main target, we've always had the race in mind for him. We just need that bit of luck as I think I have the horse for the job." Henry de Bromhead will be disappointed if Home Farm does not put up a good show. "Home Farm is in really good form. He is a high-class horse and I am expecting a really good run," said the Co Waterford handler. Jim Dreaper is looking for very soft ground to help Goonyella, winner of last year's Midlands Grand National. "He stays well. He won at Uttoxeter last year and was second in Scotland on ground that was too quick," said Dreaper. "He needs the ground heavy to slow the others down. I would like to think he'll have a clear round. He's a very safe jumper so far. He's more of an old-type National horse. "If he's still in touch going out the second time, then I would say he has a real chance." Enda Bolger has his fingers crossed Gilgamboa will find Aintree to his liking. "I'm looking forward to running him and we'll see how he takes to the place," he said. "You never really know how they'll adapt when they go there for the first time." Ucello Conti will try to upstage his half-brother Silviniaco Conti. Formerly trained in France, he is now with Gordon Elliott. Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, said: "He stayed on well in the Thyestes on soft ground. "He's prepared well and purposely hasn't run between then and now because Gordon felt that was the best way to train the horse. "If it was on the soft side that would be important for the horse, but if it goes heavy it will become like a five-mile race and that would be a bit too long. "He does run a bit freely so he needs to be switched off on the first circuit. The first circuit is important. You need to get into a rhythm and switched off." Dermot McLoughlin will be praying for that essential slice of good fortune for Vics Canvas. "He's in real good order. You just need a bit of luck in a National," said the Co Meath trainer.
