AINTREE FIRST FOR FLOOD

Fran Flood will have his first ride in the Martell Grand National on Hollybank Buck, it was announced today.

The 30-year-old Co Wicklow jockey had his only experience of the Aintree fences in the John Hughes Trophy last year when he finished down the field on Finchpalm, trained by his father Francis.

He chalked up one of his biggest wins on Hollybank Buck in the 1999 Eider Chase at Newcastle and he said: 'I also won the Pat Taaffe Chase at Punchestown on him and I expect he will give me a great spin in the Martell Grand National. I am looking forward to the ride.

'When I rode in the John Hughes last year it was a big thrill and it will be great to be involved in the Martell Grand National on Saturday. I aim to fly into Liverpool on Thursday night so I will have plenty of time to walk the course with Hollybank Buck`s trainer Tony Martin.'

Last year Hollybank Buck finished 10th behind Papillon and Martin said: 'He seems to be in good form and we are very much looking forward to coming over to England to get some racing after our long hold-up here with the foot-and-mouth.'

Michael Hourigan has snapped up the services of English-based conditional jockey Robert Widger for Inis Cara in Saturday`s race.

'He`s in good form and goes well fresh but he likes heavy ground,' Hourigan said.

'He`s never fallen - he`s pretty safe. He has a good racing weight and I don`t think the trip will bother him.

'He has a good each-way chance.'

And Widger, who represented Ireland as a junior showjumper, added: 'I know the owners and they asked me to ride.

'I`ll go up on Friday and ride him out. I understand he has schooled well.

'I`ve ridden twice in the National before and fallen twice but it`s the luck of the draw.'