Taaffe pleased with Grand National pair's prep Tom Taaffe reports preparations to be going well as he readies Treacle and Ninetieth Minute for a shot at the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 6th. The pair clashed in a prep race at Down Royal on March 16th with Treacle prevailing by four lengths from his stable-mate. Taaffe has been pleased with the way both have come out of the race and is looking forward to making the trip to Liverpool. “They are both very good. I'm delighted with them and they actually came out of the race very very well considering it was 3m2f on heavy ground,” said Taaffe. “I was looking forward to both of them running good races and they both did. They are both on schedule for Aintree and I couldn't be happier with them. “Andrew Lynch will ride Treacle and I think 'Slippers' (Madden) will ride Ninetieth Minute. “Ninetieth Minute needs five to come out but I would be surprised if he didn't make the cut and Monday will tell a tale.” Both still hold entries for the Irish National at Fairyhouse next Monday but Aintree has always been the target. “I think Fairyhouse will be very heavy and I don't think Aintree will be as heavy.” Treacle returns to Aintree after a luckless run last year which saw him meet with plenty of interference before crashing out at the tenth fence. “He got badly hampered three times before eventually falling. They've been up schooling over the Aintree style fences and that's gone well. “It looks a very open race this year and I'm very much looking forward to running them.”
