Mangan delighted by Pass progress

Jimmy Mangan today reported Monty’s Pass “every bit as good as he was last year” ahead of the gelding’s third Grand National bid next month.

Monty’s Pass won the race in 2003 and finished fourth last year and is a general 33-1 chance for the John Smith’s-sponsored showpiece on April 9.

The 12-year-old has had four starts this season and on his most recent outing he was 10th of 16 in a hurdle race at Limerick.

“I was pleased with him that day,” the Cork-based trainer said.

“There was talk after he ran last time that we might give him another run but there was nothing suitable and there was no need really. He’s in great shape and I’ll just keep him ticking over now before the National.

“David Casey rode him last time and David hopped off and he said ‘my god he gave me a tremendous feel’. I thought he might have been placed but he still ran a great race. He was handy but when they quickened he just couldn’t go with them but he was staying on marvellous at the end.

“He hasn’t really had his good ground this time and he’ll be every bit as good as he was last year. If he was placed I’d be more than pleased.

“He loves Liverpool. He’s been over the course three times, second in the Topham, won the National and fourth in the National. You couldn’t ask for more.”

Barry Geraghty has ridden Monty’s Pass in his runs round Aintree and Mangan expects the Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey to be on board again.

“I haven’t spoken to Barry since Cheltenham but he knows that the mount is his and I presume he would tell me if he wasn’t taking it – he loves riding him round there,” Mangan said.

Monty’s Pass has 11st 3lb in the Grand National and Mangan was pleased to see top weight Grey Abbey stand his ground at the latest forfeit stage.

He added: “I’m delighted to see Grey Abbey staying in, it keeps the weights down.

“Monty’s has 11st 3lb and if he got about 4lb more it would ruin any chance he’d have.”