JONJO MORE UPBEAT
JONJO O’NEILL hopes More Of That can proudly fly the Jackdaws Castle flag in the Grand National at Aintree on April 8.
O’Neill sees the nine-year-old, who was sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, as ideal for a race he won in 2010 with Don’t Push It.
By contrast, the trainer has withdrawn ante-post favourite Minella Rocco who was a fine second in the Gold Cup but will not run again this season.
O’Neill said: “Minella Rocco ran a cracking race in the Gold Cup but he had a hard race.
“He’s only seven, so we’ve decided to take our time with him and give him a rest. We’ll bring him back next season for another go at the Gold Cup and then maybe the National.
“More Of That ran a good race at Cheltenham and we were happy with him in the Gold Cup.
“He seems perfectly fine at home so it’s full speed ahead for the National. You need all the luck in running there but he seems in great form and if he sharpens up in the next week or two we’ll be delighted.
“He’s not as fast as he used to be so he’s the right sort of horse to come to the National with.”
O’Neill has also withdrawn the 2014 Irish Grand National winner Shutthefrontdoor who will instead return to Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
Foxrock appears increasingly likely to join Shutthefrontdoor in the Irish National. The Ted Walsh-trained nine-year-old is 25-1 for the Aintree race but owner Barry Connell said: “We’re leaning towards the Irish National. The only thing that might make us change our minds is if it looked like it would come up soft in Aintree.”
Seventy-nine horses were left in the Grand National, with the David Pipe-trained Vieux Lion Rouge the 11-1 ante-post favourite.
Others to have been scratched include Road To Riches, Alary, Sausalito Sunrise, Carole’s Destrier, Junction Fourteen and Out Sam.
■ Robin Dickin couldn’t resist giving Thomas Crapper an entry in the Topham Chase at Aintree next month following his fine effort at the Cheltenham Festival.
However, that race on April 7 over Grand National fences may come too soon, with a handicap chase back at Cheltenham two weeks later the obvious alternative.
Thomas finished fourth in the Stable Plate Handicap Chase and Dickin said: “He is quite tired but he did have two races in 12 days. I have entered him in the Topham but he is more likely to go back to Cheltenham in April.”