Harding On The Inca Trail

Brian Harding has been picked to partner Ginger McCain's Grand National hopeful Inca Trail.

Harding finished third in last year's renewal on board Simply Gifted for Jonjo O'Neill and is thrilled at the prospect of tackling the Aintree course once more.

Bought recently at the sales for #115,000 out of Paul Nicholls' yard, the enigmatic 10-year-old will form part of McCain's final assault on the race.

'We did have other riders in mind but they were sitting on the fence a bit,' said McCain.

'So we decided to go for Brian. He's a good horseman and will suit this horse well.'

Harding has yet to sit on the horse but he is understandably looking forward to the ride.

'I came down at the first one year, but other than that I have got round and it's a great feeling,' Harding told The Sportsman.

'It will be brilliant to be part of it all again. The atmosphere is fantastic.'

Inca Trail is a general 50-1 chance for the Grand National.

? PA Sport