Allen gives Royal approval for National

Martell Cognac Grand National outsider Royal Atalza pleased connections this morning as the ex-French gelding completed his preparation for the big race at Aintree on Saturday.

The grey’s Newmarket-based trainer Conrad Allen said: “He moved well and he’s looking bright and happy, so there are no problems.

“He just did a mile canter on the Cambridge Road Polytrack this morning and that’s more or less it for him.

“The Jockey Club have very kindly built some Aintree-style fences – a four foot, a four foot eight and a five foot – here and he’s schooled very well over those. He’s jumped the equivalent of 18 Aintree look-alike fences.

“He’s well used to big obstacles because he’s jumped over all those different types of obstacles you get at Auteuil. He is normally a very good jumper.”

Royal Atalza was bought by flamboyant owner Terry Ramsden specifically to be aimed at the Grand National but was pulled up on his only start over British fences at Ascot in January.

“He hit the first quite hard and then he hit another one,” explained Allen.

“We thought he’d want really soft ground coming from France. All his form was on soft and heavy but it was very gluey (at Ascot) and he got very tired.

“He likes to have his own way a little bit and he couldn’t get away from them. They were top-class horses and he was in a Grade One race and it found him out a little bit. He is better off in a handicap.”

Royal Atalza has had two outings on the Flat since his Ascot run, winning at Wolverhampton in February before finishing unplaced at Southwell later that month.

The going at Aintree is currently described as good and Allen added: “He’s a very good mover and on all-round form the ground would be a concern but not from what we’ve seen from him at home.”

Paul Moloney will ride Royal Atalza, who is a top-priced 66-1 chance for the Grand National, at Aintree.