GRAND PLAN Jonjo wants National win & PL title

REA-LLY FORTUNATE

STEVE MILLAR bullies they were. It was a great experience and I was very lucky to be there. Ever since, Liverpool has been my team. “But I have so much of bond with the city. “It obviously goes back a long time. I have had lots of good nights out there. Good fun that is fondly remembered.” And O’Neill would love to leave Aintree with a few fond memories of More of That making it into the winner’s enclosure. He already has one Grand National win to his name, Don’t Push It in 2010, wh i c h g ave AP McCoy his one and only success in the world’s greatest steeplechase. So what is the an interest and secret to coming out on top in the ultimate test of horse and jockey? O’Neill, who never finished the race in seven attempts as a jockey, said: “Luck, you have got to be blessed with a lot of it to get round at Aintree. “It is a magical place, full of unbelievable memories. “I have been lucky enough to win it once but you know like anything in life, when you are chasing success you want more. “I had seven rides and the furthest I got was the Canal Turn second time around. It wasn’t my fault, though, it was the horses. I never had much luck really. “But like every jockey I loved coming here and now I’m training a horse to get further than me. “More of That is like us all – he’s getting a little bit long in the tooth and is not quite as quick as he was. “But I think that’s the type of horse you want to go to Aintree. He’s got class. “He jumps well, touch wood, so I’m looking forward to him running. Trust me, he’s definitely worth a housewives’ flutter. “If he turns up on the day and runs as he did at Cheltenham I will be delighted – and he won’t be too far away.” JONATHAN REA needed a slice of luck as he extended his winning run to five races in defence of his double World Superbike crown.

The Northern Irishman was trailing leader Chaz Davies in the third round at Aragon when the Ducati rider came off on the penultimate lap.

Rea swept through on his Kawasaki to take the 200th race victory by a British rider and open up a 47-point lead over team-mate Tom Sykes – who finished third – ahead of today’s second race. Marco Melandri took second place for Ducati.

Rea said: “I was losing and could only be there, waiting if Chaz made a mistake.”

DAVE FERN