Glynn hoping this year it's his turn

Noel Glynn has already enjoyed a small taste of Grand National success and now hopes to experience Aintree glory in full as the owner and trainer of leading hope Becauseicouldntsee.

Glynn is the cousin of Bernie Carroll, who saw his silks carried to victory in the world's most famous steeplechase by the Martin Brassil-trained Numbersixvalverde in 2006.

Glynn was on Merseyside to witness that triumph and even walked the horse round the parade ring beforehand and back into the hallowed winner's enclosure afterwards.

"That was a brilliant day," said Glynn.

"I led the horse up and it was an unbelievably exciting race to watch. My cousin couldn't even watch the race himself.

"Martin Brassil, who trained the horse, was a neighbour of mine at the time in County Clare, so that made it all the better. It was amazing.

"I'd say we partied for a week afterwards!"

Becauseicouldntsee only made it as far as the second fence when a major fancy for last year's Grand National, but Glynn feels circumstances conspired against him on that occasion.

An injury meant his Aintree outing was his first public appearance since the previous Christmas, whereas this year he is set to return to Liverpool off the back of a superb second in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival.

"I think we're going there with a live a chance. He was quite down after he arrived home from Cheltenham after all the travelling, as he normally spends a lot of time outside, but he's perked up again now," said Glynn.

"He had an interrupted preparation before Aintree last year and he was just too keen in the early stages and tipped up at the second.

"This year he shouldn't be quite so fresh and hopefully he'll get over the first five or six and get into a rhythm.

"He jumped well at Cheltenham and gets into the National with a lovely racing weight.

"All going well he'll head over to Liverpool on the Wednesday before the race, arriving on the Thursday morning.

"Gonebeyondrecall will go with him to run in the Topham Chase, which he was placed in last year. They are good old buddies and will keep each other company."

Adding further Aintree experience to the Becauseicouldntsee team is assistant trainer Jason Titley, who rode Jenny Pitman's Royal Athlete to win the National in 1995.

Titley admits passing the post in front is a feeling that will never leave him.

"I was talking to Jenny at Cheltenham and I was telling her I was getting a bit old to remember much about the day, but she said she remembers it all," Titley said.

"It was a great day and it was an unbelievable feeling to win.

"In a race like the National anything can happen. Even after you turn for home there is a long way to go and even after the last something can go wrong.

"You don't really let yourself believe you've won until you're a few strides after the line. It's an incredible feeling.

"It would be unreal if Becauseicouldntsee could go and do it for the team."

Titley has done plenty of schooling on Becauseicouldntsee, including over home-built Grand National fences, and feels the gelding has a major chance if he can negotiate the crucial first few obstacles.

"He can be a bit fresh but if he can get over the first three or four I think he'll be grand," Titley continued.

"He was second in the four-miler at Cheltenham a couple of years ago, so we know he stays galloping and I think he's a very good jumper. You wouldn't believe he's fallen twice.

"I schooled him myself over three National fences before he went to Aintree last year and he jumped great. We'll be doing the same again this year.

"Last year he was just a bit long at the second fence and paid the penalty, but he's a year older now and hopefully he'll be all right."