Golden chance for Kite Adrain Maguire is “very excited” by the prospect of Golden Kite tackling the Aintree fences on Saturday after the ten-year-old gelding just squeezed into the final 40 declared runners for the John Smith's Grand National. The Lombardstown trainer was “kind of resigned to not getting in” until the late defection of Northern Alliance, Roll Along and Our Monty meant his charge will line up as number 40 in the four and a half mile showpiece. “Its great to be involved and my wife Sabrina headed off with him this morning to catch the boat across. The ground was all against him last month over hurdles at Navan, and to be honest I couldn't be happier with the shape he's in right now,” said Maguire. He added: “The faster the ground the better, the further the better and touch wood he's a very clever, economical jumper. All you need then is a bit of luck.” Shane Hassett rode the Anshan gelding to land the Ladbrokes.com Munster National at Limerick last autumn, and will again be in the plate for his first Grand National ride. Alan Magee
