RACING:Jimmy Mangan will ask Barry Geraghty to ride Himalayan Trail in the Aintree Grand National but feels Conna Castle still has something to prove before declaring for the race.
“He’s in good form,” said the trainer of Himalayan Trail, “he’s definitely going for it and I think we have a good chance of getting in now.
“Himalayan Trail is on target and he’s really coming to himself. Barry Geraghty rode him in the Becher Chase there earlier in the season and I’ll be asking him if he’s nothing better to ride.”
Geraghty won the National for Mangan on Monty’s Pass in 2003.
Doubts remain over Conna Castle despite a fine run at Gowran Park on Friday. The 10-year-old failed by only three-quarters of a length to peg back shock winner Battle Axe over two miles.
“He ran a great race and he’s come out of it good,” said the County Cork-based handler. “The owners are not exactly sure about the National. Davy Russell rode him and he didn’t seem to think he might be up to Aintree. We’re undecided.
“I may make an entry for Conna Castle at Navan on Saturday and we’ll decide later what to do.
“The fences at Aintree wouldn’t be a problem, it’d probably be the trip - he’s better at two and half miles, I’d say.
“At the moment it’s in the balance. It’s up to the owners and it’s their decision in the finish.”
Himalayan Trail and Conna Castle, 33-1 and 66-1 respectively, are both on 10st 3lb at the moment but need a few horses to come out to make the cut.
Nicky Henderson believes his lively outsider Golden Flight will not be fazed by the daunting fences.
The French import has a wealth of experience over the obstacles of Auteuil and shaped reasonably well on his debut for his new trainer before weakening in the latter stages of the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham.
Henderson is planning some more schooling and work sessions in the countdown towards a week on Saturday, and said: “He has been around races like the Grand Steep, so I don’t think Aintree will fuss him much.
“He looks the right type of horse and we will try to find a bit more about him this week.
“Fleet Street is going there as well, I must still mention him.”
John Quinn has revealed several offers have been made for his National hope Character Building.
The grey gelding has been a leading fancy for the Aintree showpiece on Saturday week since he won the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
“We’ve had quite a lot of offers for him but the owners have stipulated that if they do sell, he will stay here,” said the Malton trainer. “If it’s left to me, Dougie Costello will ride him as he rides all my jumpers. Heavy ground is not his cup of tea but it has been a long time since it was heavy at Aintree.
“The National was his aim last year but he went wrong before Cheltenham. His one bad run this year came at Haydock where I shouldn’t have run him because of the ground.
“He’s in really good nick and he must have a leading chance. He jumped round Cheltenham fine so I can’t see why the fences should be issue, but obviously some horses just don’t take to it.”
Character Building is fourth favourite at a top-priced 14-1 for National glory.