Quito all set for National bid Colm Murphy is convinced Quito De La Roque's fortitude could stand him in good stead for the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday. The Grade One-winning 10-year-old has had a disappointing season - he was pulled up on his last outing at Fairyhouse in February - but the County Wexford handler is not without optimism. Quito De La Roque shaped encouragingly in two previous starts at Aintree, most significantly when he won the Mildmay Novices' Chase in 2011. Murphy said: "He's going along nicely at home. He's had his problems over the years but he's a tough horse, which is obviously important in the National. We're very happy with him and his preparation has gone well." Fergal O'Brien has provisionally recruited Paddy Brennan for Alvarado - should regular jockey Paul Moloney not be available. With Moloney seemingly poised to get the leg-up aboard One In A Milan, trained by long-standing ally Evan Williams, Brennan is in pole position. Gloucestershire-based O'Brien said: "Paddy Brennan will be on him if Paul can't get off Evan's horse. There's not been any problems since his last run. All we've done is freshen him up at home with this in mind." The nine-year-old gelding is owned by Angela and William Rucker, who have had a placed horse in the National for the last five years. Fellow Gloucestershire trainer Hilary Parrott was heartened by Wayward Prince's fluency over the mock Grand National fences which are situated in Lambourn. The 10-year-old gave Harry Topper an almighty run for his money in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in November, but has since been unable to maintain that form and will be ridden by Jack Doyle. Parrott said: "We went to Lambourn with him and he jumped some of the National-type fences. That gave us quite a bit of encouragement. Jack is coming over on Wednesday and we'll give him another pop. "After that, we'll sit down and work out a bit of a gameplan. I guess the important thing is to keep him out of trouble and keep clear of the debris." With Jason Maguire sidelined after suffering frightful injuries at Stratford earlier this month, Henry Brooke will resume riding duties aboard Across The Bay. The Donald McCain-trained 10-year-old, owned locally by the Scotch Piper syndicate, finished 14th under Brooke 12 months ago. Kevin Coyne, a lawyer from nearby Crosby and part of the Scotch Piper team, said: "Donald asked us on Sunday about Henry riding and we were absolutely fine with it. He knows the course very well and is a very good jockey. "It's absolutely tragic what happened to Jason, but Coventry Hospital did outstandingly well with him and they deserve a huge pat on the back. Something like that brings home how jumps jockeys are such brave individuals."
