Joseph O’Brien's Grand designs ahead of Aintree trip

O’Brien is set to be doubly represented in the Aintree spectacular next week.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien pictured at his stables with Comeragh Mountain and the Kilkenny countryside behind him. Pic: Healy Racing

The Flat season is gradually ratcheting up but, before it takes sole ownership of Joseph O’Brien’s professional thoughts, there’s plenty of life left in the current jumps campaign and the 32-year-old is dreaming of adding a Grand National success to an already remarkable CV.

O’Brien is set to be doubly represented in the Aintree spectacular Saturday week and regards Banbridge, who got within a nose of back-to-back King George wins at Kempton before finishing third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham as an “interesting” National contender, for all that he acknowledges that the marathon trip is an obvious question mark.