Morris upbeat on War’s National hopes

MOUSE MORRIS believes War Of Attrition could be the horse to finally end his wait for a John Smith’s Grand National winner if he makes the line-up for the Aintree spectacular next month.

The 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has slowly been nursed back from a tendon injury which kept him off the track for almost two years, and has looked not far off his best in winning two of his four starts this season.

Following his creditable in the Lexus Chase over Christmas, Morris was looking forward to heading back to the Festival with his prize asset but he was forced to miss the showpiece meeting for the third successive year after a minor setback in the week of the race.

While disappointed, the Co Tipperary handler was not despondent and believes compensation may well await at Aintree on April 4.

Morris also has the option of running last year’s Irish Grand National winner, Hear The Echo.

“At the moment War Of Attrition would be the first preference,” said Morris.

“Just with the way the weights are if ‘The War’ is OK, he would be the one. When you look at how Hear The Echo is weighted you would have to think War Of Attrition is well-in.”

Exotic Dancer and Star De Mohaison were taken out of the National at yesterday’s latest forfeit stage.

The horses, third and 13th respectively in last week’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, have alternative engagements at Aintree.

Exotic Dancer, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, will go for the totesport Bowl, which he won two years ago. That is also a possible target for Star De Mohaison, from the Paul Nicholls stable, as well as the John Smith’s Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong.

As Exotic Dancer headed the handicap for the Grand National with 11st 12lb, the weights for the Aintree marathon on April 4 will rise by at least 2lb.