O'Regan excited by Co ride Denis O'Regan is expecting a big run from Al Co in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree today having picked up a spare ride on last season's Scottish National winner. The jockey has been called up as a replacement for the injured Jamie Moore, who was in the plate when the 10-year-old scored in the Ayr marathon. Al Co's last two runs have been over hurdles, and he finished third at both Doncaster and Bangor. O'Regan said: "It's a great ride to pick up. Obviously it's due to Jamie Moore's misfortune, but Peter Bowen is the right man to be riding for. To me, it looks like he's been laid out for it. "He's been running over hurdles and comes to himself in the spring. He won the Scottish National and has a lovely weight." Alan King's Godsmejudge claimed the Scottish National in 2013 and was second to Al Co last year, but he must set the record straight following a no-show over hurdles at Bangor last month. The Barbury Castle handler told his website: "I was pleased with his previous run at Kempton, and we were mystified when he then ran a shocker at Bangor. "Maybe he got bored with the hurdles - it was his first run over them for a long time. Nothing came to light, and he has been fine since at home. His schooling has been good, and the drying ground is also a bonus. "You need to stay well to win a National, and he landed the Scottish equivalent at Ayr in 2013 and was runner-up in it last year, so stamina is not a problem. Here's hoping for a good run, and that he, like all the others, comes back safe."
