Push continues National build-up at Newbury

DON’T PUSH IT takes another step in trying for back-to-back John Smith’s Grand National victories when he has his third run of the season over hurdles at Newbury today.

The 11-year-old gave jockey Tony McCoy, trainer Jonjo O’Neill and owner JP McManus a memorable triumph at Aintree last April and has not been tested over fences since that great day.

And the stable’s amateur Alan Berry, claiming 3lb, will get the leg-up in the totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle, with McCoy in opposition on Cappagh for Philip Hobbs.

“Don’t Push It runs at Newbury in a hurdle race and hopefully he’ll have a good spin round there,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.

“It will be interesting to see if he has top weight or not when the National weights come out next week.

“All our National entries are chipping away grand.”

McManus has four other possibles for the Grand National on April 9 – Welsh National winner Synchronised, Arbor Supreme, Can’t Buy Time and Quiscover Fontaine.