Casey dreams of Morning glory
Casey steered the Willie Mullins-trained gelding into third place behind Comply Or Die in 2008, and is praying the horse will be in similar form.
“It’s great just to have any ride in the National but if he can go back and put up a performance like he did a couple of seasons ago then it would be great,” said the Irish jockey.
“He was ninth last year when he probably hadn’t been in as good a form as he had been the year before when he was third to Comply Or Die.
“I’m hoping for a repeat performance of that form.”
Madison Du Berlais heads 65 entries following the confirmation stage.
A total of 10 horses have been removed, including previous joint-top-weight Notre Pere, the Willie Mullins trio of Deutschland, Dooneys Gate and Equus Maximus and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Razor Royale.
The withdrawals mean the likes of the much-touted The Package, Hello Bud and Palypso De Creek are now guaranteed a run.
At the bottom of the handicap there are five horses currently on 10st 5lb, but official British Horseracing Authority ratings mean the two that would currently make the final field are Flintoff (138) and Abbeybraney (137).
Whinstone Boy and Chief Dan George, both strongly fancied for National glory, still need horses to drop out to make the cut for the Aintree spectacular.
Madison Du Berlais is among five possibles from the David Pipe stable, but is not yet a definite runner as he also holds an entry in Thursday’s totesport Bowl.
“Tom Scudamore will ride Madison Du Berlais if he runs. We also run Pablo Du Charmil. Danny Cook will ride him if Madison doesn’t run, otherwise Scu will ride that one,” said the Nicholashayne trainer.
Three of his National hopes had a schooling session on Monday morning, with Comply Or Die (partnered by Timmy Murphy), The Package (Graham Lee) and Piraya (Johnny Farrelly) put through their paces.
Though Murphy was aboard Comply or Die, he has yet to decide whether to stay loyal to the 2008 winner and 2009 runner-up, or switch to the progressive The Package.
“Comply Or Die, The Package and Piraya schooled all jumped nicely,” said Pipe.
“Timmy hasn’t made his mind up. He rode Comply, Graham Lee came down and schooled The Package and Johnny Farrelly rides Piraya on Saturday.
“We are awaiting Timmy’s decision and Graham will ride the other one.
“It’s a tough one. I presume he will leave it as late as possible. He’ll let DJ (owner David Johnson) and myself know when the time is right.
“Graham has won the Grand National so he knows his way around.”
Pipe’s other contender is Pablo Du Charmil, the mount of Danny Cook.
Nigel Twiston-Davies reports his six hopefuls to be all set for the big day as the Naunton trainer bids to win the great race for a third time.
His sextet are Beat The Boys (Brian Hughes), Ballyfitz (David England), Ollie Magern (Tom Molloy), Irish Raptor (Paddy Brennan), Hello Bud (Sam Twiston-Davies) and Knowhere (Brian Harding).
“All six are on target. They’ve all had a trouble-free run, thank goodness,” said Twiston-Davies.
The going on the National course was described as good to soft, soft in places yesterday afternoon and it could be even drier by Saturday.
Big Fella Thanks heads the market at 15-2 with Aintree’s official betting partner totesport, with Black Apalachi and last year’s winner Mon Mome next at 12-1.
John Smith’s Grand National
Totesport bet: 15-2 Big Fella Thanks, 12-1 Black Apalachi, Mon Mome, 14-1 The Package, 16-1 Tricky Trickster, 20-1 Backstage, Character Building, State Of Play, Vic Venturi, 22-1 Whinstone Boy, 25-1 Can’t Buy Time, Don’t Push It, 28-1 Ballyholland, Chief Dan George, Comply Or Die, Maljimar, 33-1 bar.
