Local hope has National excitement building

Not content with having another shot at winning the Crabbie’s Grand National, Across The Bay’s localowners have even begun writing their own headlines.

“I’ve been using the strapline, ‘The Princess and the Paupers’,” said Kevin Coyne, a member of the Scotch Piper triumvirate responsible for the Donald McCain-trained 10-year-old.

“Because of the parallels with us and Monbeg Dude, who of course has royal connections with Zara Phillips, I think it’s a nice fit. When you bear in mind we bought this horse for just 10,000 quid it’s all very thrilling.