O'Regan likely to partner Black Apalachi Denis O'Regan is likely to be back aboard Black Apalachi for the gelding's third attempt at the John Smith's Grand National. O'Regan has ridden the Dessie Hughes-trained gelding twice before, when unseated at Becher's Brook in last year's National and when winning the Becher Chase in November 2008. Black Apalachi fell at the second fence in the previous season's National for Andrew McNamara. Now 11, he was second to stablemate Vic Venturi on his most recent start in the Bobbyjo Chase, usually a notable Irish trial for Aintree. Owner Gerard Burke said: "It's up to Dessie, but as far as I know Denis O'Regan is riding him again. "The horse seems in very good form, so we're hoping for the best."
