Grand National News: Ballabriggs all set for Aintree

Can Ballabriggs win the Grand National again?

Donald McCain is looking forward to seeing Ballabriggs return to Aintree next month following an excellent run in defeat at Kelso on Saturday...

Running in the Premier Chase for the third straight year, the 2011 Grand National hero travelled sweetly throughout and stuck to his guns well despite tiring on the run-in to finish third under Jason Maguire.

McCain feels there is plenty of room for improvement fitness-wise ahead of the 12-year-old's return to Merseyside on April 6.

McCain said: "It was grand. Jason said he felt great and although he hated the ground the whole way round, he thought he was going to win jumping the second-last and he has just taken a good blow.

"He was having a good blow after the race, which is what we expected. He travelled well and jumped great, so all in all we're very happy.

"I think he probably ran a bit better than he did in the race a year ago and we look forward to Aintree now."

Ballabriggs is available to back at 30.029/1 for the Grand National, with On His Own heading the market at 10.09/1.

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