Minella Rocco top weight for Randox Health Grand National at Aintree
Jonjo O'Neill feels Minella Rocco has all the attributes to make his mark in the Randox Health Grand National after he was left at the head of the weights following the second forfeit stage.
Runner-up to Sizing John in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, the JP McManus-owned gelding was in line for another crack at the blue riband before being declared a non-runner on account of the testing conditions.
O'Neill has since confirmed the eight-year-old an intended runner in the Aintree spectacular on April 14 and he will carry the welter burden of 11st 10lb after the original top weight Definitly Red, Irish Gold Cup hero Edwulf and Outlander were all scratched.
Minella Rocco has been the subject of market support in recent days and is 16/1 with Sky Bet for National glory.
Speaking from Aintree at a Grand National northern media lunch, O'Neill said: "The ground got very heavy (at Cheltenham) and, as we all know, he's got a wind problem and that ground wouldn't help him, so we saved him for here.
"So long as we get good ground, we've a good chance.
"He's won over four miles, so he just has to get another half a mile. Top weight isn't ideal, but that's the way it is and he's a big horse, so hopefully he can carry it. He jumps well and keeps galloping, so the National was always at the back of my mind."
The Jackdaws Castle handler memorably provided Tony McCoy with his only National success aboard Don't Push It in 2010 and would love to add to his tally.
He added: "You need a lot of luck and obviously a horse that jumps and stays. On paper, this fellow (Minella Rocco) would be a better horse than Don't Push It, but everything has to go right."
O'Neill has a potential second string to his bow in Go Conquer (10st 13lb), who was also among 73 horses to have stood their ground.
"Whether he comes for the Topham or the National, I'm not sure," said O'Neill.
"The National is a fantastic race and it's worth a lot of money. Just to be part of it and enjoy it is magical. Aintree has an electricity around it and to be involved in anything here is fantastic."
Second on the list behind Minella Rocco is ante-post favourite Blaklion, who is now on 11st 9lb after the weights were raised 3lb.
The nine-year-old is a best-priced 12-1 to provide trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies with a third National success following the victories of Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002).
The Irish challenge is headed by the Willie Mullins-trained Total Recall (11st 4lb), who was still in contention when falling three fences from the finish in the Gold Cup on Friday.
Tiger Roll (10st 12lb) emerged as a leading contender for Gordon Elliott by winning the Glenfarclas Chase around Cheltenham's cross-country course.
Stablemate Cause Of Causes (11st 1lb) disappointed in the same race when bidding for a fourth Festival success, but was runner-up in last year's National.
The Last Samuri (11st 7lb), third in the Glenfarclas Chase and runner-up in the 2016 Grand National, remains on course for a return to Merseyside.
Other potential runners include Gold Cup third Anibale Fly (11st 7lb), Bellshill (10st 10lb) and Gold Present (11st 3lb).
#GrandNational winner Bindaree at @AintreeRaces today.
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 20, 2018
What does he do now?
"Nothing. He's in total retirement. He just eats." pic.twitter.com/w8uF7nNL67
Katie Walsh is looking forward to having another crack at National glory aboard outsider Baie Des Iles.
It is six years since Walsh steered Seabass to finish third in the Aintree spectacular for her father, Ted, which remains the highest-placed finish for any female jockey in the history of the race.
Trained by the leading amateur rider's husband, Ross O'Sullivan, grey mare Baie Des Iles was last seen finishing third when bidding for back-to-back victories in a Grand National trial at Punchestown in February.
Walsh said: "Ross was delighted with her run in Punchestown. She had a lot of weight in very heavy ground and ran a cracker. It was a lovely run and I wasn't over-hard on her. She comes here off the back of that. It's still a month away, so a lot can happen between here and then, but fingers crossed."
While many trainers will be giving their National hopes a sighter over custom-built Aintree fences between now and April 14, Baie Des Iles, who has been handed a weight of 10st 7lb, is likely to tackle the obstacles for the first time during the race itself.
"She ran in France and they've a lot of different obstacles over there. Touch-wood, she seems to be a good, safe jumper, so I don't think there'd be any reason why she should (school over National fences)," Walsh added.
"A lot of her form is on soft to heavy ground, but, for me, I don't feel she wants it as soft as her form suggests. I think the track will definitely suit and the trip will without doubt suit. So much can go right and so much can go wrong, but hopefully with a bit of luck she'll be there in good order."
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