Conna warms up for National tilt

Conna Castle is set to have his final prep run before a possible crack at the John Smith’s Grand National in the Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday.

The 10-year-old is not yet guaranteed a run in the Aintree spectacular on April 4 but his trainer Jimmy Mangan remains hopeful.

Conna Castle put up a decent performance on his latest start when sixth to Nacarat in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton.

“He’ll more than likely run on Saturday,” said the County Cork-based handler.

“We were delighted with his run in the Racing Post Chase. Noel Fehily said if had known him better, he would definitely have been placed – though he wouldn’t have troubled the winner on the day.

“This will be a sharpener for him over two miles before Aintree. He’s entered there, but he’s down a bit in the weights so he might not get in.

“Hopefully either Paul Carberry or Davy Russell will ride him on Saturday. They have both won on him and I know they’d like to ride him again for me if they can.”

Mangan, who won the world’s greatest steeplechase with Monty’s Pass in 2003, has another National possible in Himalayan Trail.

However he is not yet near to the maximum 40-strong line-up either as he has been allotted the same weight (9st 12lb) as his stablemate.

“Hopefully he’s on target for it again. If they get they’ll both go. And I think Himalayan Trail will have one more run,” Mangan added.

Himalayan Trail is 33-1 for the National, while Conna Castle can be backed at double those odds.