Madden upbeat about National chances

Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden believes Numbersixvalverde will handle the rough-and-tumble of the John Smith’s Grand National with consummate ease.

Madden takes the plum ride aboard Martin Brassil’s 10-year-old, as big-race pilot Ruby Walsh will be aboard Hedgehunter, and is relishing the prospect of tackling the Aintree fences on April 8.