Trainer Jonjo could have a new National hope on his hands

» JONJO O’neill already has the favourite for this year’s Grand National – and in Time To Get Up he might have an Aintree contender of the future, judged on his victory in the Marston’s 61 Deep Midlands National at Uttoxeter.

The 3-1 favourite was still more than a length behind Mighty Thunder at the 24th and final fence in the marathon contest.

But jockey Jonjo O’neill junior had timed his telling challenge to perfection as the eight-year-old got up on the run-in for a length success.

O’neill senior – whose Cloth Cap has outstanding claims in the world’s greatest steeplechase next month – admitted he was not certain his runner would see out the four-mile-two-furlong distance.

He said: “We weren’t sure whether he’d stay, but you don’t know until you try it. The ground was grand, everything was grand – it all came together.

“I’d say, for the trip, the ground was probably better drying out a bit. You don’t want it bog-deep when you’re going a long way and trying to get four miles, but everything went according to plan.

“He gave him a grand spin and it all went to plan.”

He added: “I would think about the National, maybe next year. He’s a good old jumper and now we know he gets the trip.

“Whether he’ll have the pace for the National, I don’t know. The National now is a fairly pacey race. We’ll see how we go.

“That was the plan, and it all sounds so easy when it works out.”

O’neill was particularly thrilled to give his son a big-race winner.

He said: “It’s great, really. That’s what you dream of, isn’t it? When it all goes according to plan it’s even better.”

As for the JP Mcmanus-owned Time To Get Up, he added: “He’s a lovely looking horse and a grand character – he’s great to do anything with. He jumps very well – and now we know he stays, too, so we’re delighted.

Time To Get Up is lightly-raced, but one previous performance on his CV already stood out – an 11-length second to dual Cheltenham Festival winner Monkfish in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in December 2019, on his last start before joining O’neill from Joseph O’brien’s yard.

O’neill said: “The Monkfish form isn’t too bad! I don’t know how he got that close to him, but he did.

“He’s had leg trouble but has done the job today, and he’s the type of horse that gradually progresses.

“We’re very happy with him, and hopefully he might be a National horse down the road. He has what is required for Aintree.

“He’s in the Irish National, but that might come too soon. He’s one to look forward to next year.”