CLOUDY Lane remains a red-hot favourite for Saturday's Grand National and connections appear to be growing in confidence as his date with destiny looms.
The Donald McCain-trained gelding was clipped in to 5-1 from 6-1 with most bookmakers yesterday and he may be sent off one of the shortest-priced favourites in Grand National history. The shortest priced winner of the National was 11-4 shot Poethly
n in 1919, while Red Rum – trained by McCain's father Ginger – was sent off at 7-2 in 1975, only to finish second to L'Escargot.
The eyes of many a punter are sure to be fixed on his big-race jockey Jason Maguire.
"I'm sure I'll have a few butterflies on the day but I'm all right at the moment," said Maguire. "I schooled him yesterday morning just to give him a pop and he schooled good. I can't wait just to get on with it, roll on Saturday.
"I think the better ground will suit him. He wouldn't want it to come up heavy, but, touch-wood, he is very clever at his fences."
Cloudy Lane is sure to come in for more support before he lines up at Aintree following another upbeat report from his trainer.
"He's come out of his last race well. He had a little quiet spell but he's been back in fast work a while now and he's in really good order," said McCain.
"He's in great nick and a bit of sun has made a great difference to all the horses and he's certainly appreciated it. For him to be the first horse Mr (Trevor) Hemmings has sent me he has been unbelievable. He won a bumper, the Red Square Final at Haydock over hurdles and he won at Cheltenham last year.
"Everything we have thrown at him he has done but he faces his biggest task now."
Paul Nicholls, meanwhile, is doing his best to secure the services of Ruby Walsh for Turko, However, the champion trainer fears the worst as Walsh is already pencilled in to ride the 2005 winner Hedgehunter. Nicholls said: "I've been trying my damnedest to prise Ruby off Hedgehunter to ride Turko. I really fancy him quite strongly but I don't have a jockey at the moment."
GRAND NATIONAL ODDS
Totesport bet: 5-1 Cloudy Lane, 9-1 Slim Pickings, 11-1 Comply Or Die, 12-1 Simon, 14-1 Bewleys Berry, Butler's Cabin, 16-1 Chelsea Harbour, Kings John Castle, Snowy Morning, 18-1 Mr Pointment, 20-1 Hedgehunter, Point Barrow, 22-1 McKelvey, 25-1 Bar
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