Brassil Fears Desperandum Martin Brassil sees Eider Chase winner Nil Desperandum as a major stumbling block to Numbersixvalverde's bid for a repeat John Smith's Grand National success.Formerly in the care of Frances Crowley in Ireland, he was moved to the Herefordshire yard of Venetia Williams due to the lack of staying chases run in Ireland and lugged top weight to an impressive success at Newcastle.'I was very impressed with Nil Desperandum, he looked so sweet and looked to be enjoying life again,' said Brassil, whose Numbersixvalverde was an eyecatching fourth in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.'He's had two good runs around Aintree, he was fourth last year and was fourth in the Becher and he's starting to enjoy life again.'He was quite a decent horse in Ireland in his younger days and with the weight (10st 6lb) he has in the National I could see him running a big race.'I was delighted with my fellow though. He was caught a little bit flat when they quickened up,' he told At The Races.'He was jumping a little bit carefully because the ground was so heavy, he wasn't quite letting himself go. He was losing two or three lengths at every fence and he was still only beaten less than five lengths.'You'd have to be happy with that.'Nil Desperandum is a general 10-1 chance for the National following his win at the weekend, while Numbersixvalverde is available at 12-1.(C) PA Sport
