Bailey playing safe with Longshanks

Kim Bailey will enter John Smith’s Grand National hopeful Longshanks in the Topham Chase on the Friday of the Aintree meeting as consolation in case he fails to get into the big race itself.

On a current weight of 10st 1lb, the eight-year-old lies in 57th place on the list for the Grand National, with the top 40 earning the right to take part.