Youlneverwalkalone team pleased with ground

Connections of ante-post gamble Youlneverwalkalone declared themselves happy with the ground at Aintree ahead of the Martell Cognac Grand National on Saturday.

The Christy Roche-trained nine-year-old, who is owned by legendary Limerick man JP McManus, shot to prominence in the National betting after his victory in the William Hill National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month.

Both trainer and owner are anxious that the ground should not be too fast for their challenger but reported the famous course to be to their liking after walking it for the first time this morning.

“The horse is very, very well and Christy couldn’t be happier with him,” McManus told attheraces.

“He walked the track and was delighted with the ground today.

“A lot can happen in two days with the baking sun and whatever but hopefully it will be as safe on Saturday and we will get a good show.”

McManus has been responsible for many a major plunge in his time but he stressed that he had not been the reason for the odds on his horse plummeting in recent days.

“There isn’t any of the money mine, because I didn’t want to let it influence what decision I would make,” he said.