O'Brien secures National mount

Record-breaking conditional jockey Tom O’Brien will cap a memorable season with his first ride in the John Smith’s Grand National.

O’Brien, who last month broke the record for most wins by a conditional in a season, has been booked to partner the Peter Bowen-trained McKelvey.

The winner of last year’s Summer National at Uttoxeter needs 14 horses to come out to be guaranteed a run, but O’Brien is looking forward to the prospect of Aintree on Saturday week.

“I’ve ridden him only once, but he’s a good horse,” O’Brien told the Racing Post.

“He ran well over the big fences at Aintree at the start of the winter, and I won on him over hurdles last time after a break.

“He goes there in good form and, hopefully, he would have a chance. There are a good few to come out before he gets a run but I’d be very happy and excited if he did, because it will be my first ride.”