O'Neill Hoping To Join The National Clan

Jonjo O'Neill is hopeful but not bullish ahead of Clan Royal's bid to make it third time lucky in tomorrow's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree.

The 11-year-old will be lining up in the four-and-a-half-mile marathon for the third successive year after finishing second in 2004 and being unluckily carried out 12 months ago.

Clan Royal was in front and travelling strongly for Tony McCoy when he collided with a loose horse at Becher's on the second circuit but O'Neill thinks his charge is facing an uphill challenge against some classy rivals, headed by last year's winner Hedgehunter.

'Of course we are looking forward to it,' he said. 'He's had a grand prep up until now ? everything has gone as planned and he is in great old order. I have no excuses for him.

'To be fair last year's winner ran a blinder in the Gold Cup and if you take that form literally we have no business running because he is a different class horse altogether.

'Our fellow is not a good horse, we know that, but you bring the Aintree factor into it and then he is a good horse round here.

'There is not just Hedgehunter, there are a dozen other better horses than him in the race really but let's hope that he gets into a good rhythm and he jumps well and he puts up a good show.

'Going literally on form he has no business running but that would be the same for the last couple of years.

'Hopefully he will relax a bit more this year ? I think he will as he has run a bit more so he won't be as fresh as he was last year ? and hopefully things will fall into place.

'We say every year that we are due a bit of luck but we don't always get it! Hopefully he will put up a good show and we will all be happy.'

Clan Royal is the 5-1 favourite with William Hill for the race, with Hedgehunter next best on 11-2.

The same firm go 14-1 about French raider Innox, one of two runners for Francois Doumen along with former high-class chaser First Gold.

'They are both very well and arrived on time,' said Doumen.

'The softer the ground, the better for Innox but he does cope on all types of ground.

'First Gold is a class horse and copes even better on extremes of going.'

Jockey Garrett Cotter is keeping his fingers crossed he has made the right call in choosing to partner Ned Mitchell's Garvivonnian rather than the Ted Walsh-trained Jack High.

In the end, the Irish rider decided to opt for Garvivonnian, his winning mount in the Becher Chase over the National fences last November.

'It was a very tough call as they are both realistically going there with good chances,' he explained.

'The Becher Chase was a major factor (in my decision). He's obviously got a big advantage going into the race and that was what swung it for me.'

Garvivonnian has been lightly raced since winning at Aintree and was last seen when finishing second to subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup third Forget The Past at Fairyhouse in February.

'It was a good run that day as Forget The Past has gone on to run in the Gold Cup. He was wrong at the weights that day so we are hopeful of a big run tomorrow,' Cotter told At The Races.

'The word is they were quite happy travelling over and he's arrived safe and sound.'

Although Cotter hopes to come out on top, he would not be too upset if Jack High were to run a blinder.

'He's a horse I have ridden all through his career and it was a hard call to get off him. I wish them the best of luck,' Cotter added.

Colnel Rayburn was sent off a 20-1 shot in the 2005 renewal but is available at double those odds with William Hill this time.

The 10-year-old was pulled up before the 27th fence 12 months ago and trainer Paul Nolan said: 'He's as good as we can get him and if it happens for him then great.

'The trip would have to be a doubt, I suppose. He's won over two, two and a half and three miles and he probably has the credentials to get the trip as he is from a staying family.

'I would just like him to get a clear round in his own time.

'He was going well last year and you never know what he would have done from there but he was lame for two months after the race.'

(C) PA Sport