Morris delighted to book Blackmore for Aintree

Trainer Mouse Morris is more than happy to give Rachael Blackmore the leg up on Alpha Des Obeaux in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

The Gigginstown House Studowned eight-year-old won the Clonmel Oil Chase in the autumn and was last seen finishing sixth under Blackmore in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in early February.

Morris, who won the 2016 Grand National with Rule The World, has intentionally kept Alpha Des Obeaux fresh since and is keeping his fingers crossed he can give last season’s champion Irish conditional jockey a good spin on her debut ride in the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Morris said: “Rachael has been lucky for us and she’s a very good pilot.

“We’re delighted to have her on board.

“He (Alpha Des Obeaux) is a Grade Two winner over fences and he’s going into the race fresh.

“I think he’s at his best when he’s fresh.

“The National is the National, but hopefully he has a chance.”

Alpha Des Obeaux might not be Morris’ only runner in the Aintree spectacular, with the trainer confirming Thunder And Roses a likely contender should he make the cut.

The 10-year-old, who fell at the seventh fence in the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday, is 49th in the order of entry.

“That’s the plan at the moment. Whether it comes off is another thing,” he added.