Ballabriggs on course for National No horse has won back-to-back Grand Nationals since the legendary Red Rum in 1973-74 and while some have come close recently, including Don't Push It 12 months ago, it illustrates how hard a task it is. Of course Red Rum was trained by the late Ginger McCain, and his son Donald trained last year's winner, Ballabriggs, who once again has been campaigned solely around Aintree. Speaking to this week's Racing UK podcast, McCain said: "We've won a Grand National so the pressure's off to an extent - he goes there as reigning champ but he is bouncing. He's been working as well, if not better, than I've ever seen him work before. "The way he took to the fences last year, you'd expect him to run well again." McCain has another string to his bow in the talented-but-fragile Charlie Hall winner Weird Al who runs in the big race rather than the Betfred Bowl. "There's only one Grand National and we didn't think there was a great benefit going for the other race," added McCain. "He can only be fragile for so long. He's a racehorse and there is a job for him to do and we think he could take to the place. He's ready to go and deserves his chance."
