Of Red Rum
after she came close to taking the National when Teaforthree finished third in 2013.
“I bought Monkey Kingdom a few years ago and he is trained by Rebecca,” said Hinchy. “He gave us a lot of fun when seventh in last year’s Fox Hunters, run over a circuit of the National course. I cheered him every time he jumped a fence.
“It’s a funny old thing as there are hundreds of trainers around the country and who do you choose?
“We got on well with Rebecca. She’s very good at training staying horses. We are not fortunes for them. “We have a couple of quid on when they run. But the National is a totally different occasion. I have yet to back my horse but will delighted paying was also Norton.
“We had talked about taking on Sizing John at Punchestown at the end of the month,” said Tizzard. “We still plan to go there but it makes sense to run in the two-mile chase.
“Like Robbie, I think he could make up into a King George horse. He stayed the trip today (2m 4f).
“Perhaps we should have run him in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham as he clearly now needs a trip.”
Tizzard was also chuffed after 18-year-old Harry Cobden gave Ultragold a faultless ride to take the Topham, run over a circuit of the National course. “Harry has hunted alongside me with Fox on the day as the bookmakers offer odds down to sixth place.”
Statisticians will point out that at the age of seven Shantou Flyer will be up against it. Bogskar was the last sevenyear-old to take the prize in 1940. And the most recent win for a National runner trained in Wales, where Curtis operates, came in 1905 with Kirkland.
“There’s an interesting stat in our favour, though,” said Hinchy.
“Jonathan Moore, who rides, will be having his first spin in the National, and last year’s winning jockey David Mullins was also having his first ride. That will do for me.
“Growing up where I did it’s an absolute dream just to have a runner in the Grand National.
“I’m just trying to keep a lid on it. It’s an inspiration and an honour to be involved in such a great sport.
“All my five sons will be there and my mum will be there, too. We are determined to
enjoy it.”
He’s tough as teak and has slipped under radar
with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale since he was a little boy,” said Tizzard. “He’s got a brain and I’m delighted for him.
“Harry’s teaching my grandson to ride in pony races. He has got Harry’s old pony. You could say he’s very much part of the family.”
Just to rub it in for his rival trainers, Tizzard believes he has another star under his care in the former Irish pointer Flemenshill, who the Potts team recently bought for £480,000.
“Robbie Power recently came to see him,” said Tizzard. “He said he was the best four-yearold he’s ever sat on.
“He will not be seen until next year. He’s a lovely, lovely horse.”