Grand National winner Monty’s Pass may have missed the ferry, but he certainly didn’t miss the party in Conna last night when a rapturous crowd welcomed home the locally trained hero.

JIMMY MANGAN is laid-back by nature and rarely gets flustered. Come 3.45 on Saturday, however, his heart will surely miss a beat as the field swivels to face the starter for the 2003 Grand National at Aintree.