Air Force One: may have first start of the season in the Aon Chase

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com  

Air Force to get National entry after course gallop

INJURY-PRONE chaser Air Force One will be given an entry in the John Smith's Grand National after pleasing in a thorough workout for Noel Fehily at Kempton.

The 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup runner-up has not run since last spring when attempting a second successive win at the Punchestown festival.
Trainer Charlie Mann told racingpost.com on Tuesday: "Air Force One has endured all sorts of problems, including with a hock, but he worked like a dream over a mile and a half at Kempton. There is no doubt he's on the way back."

Treatment for Air Force One included a month away from the yard at the Equine Service Centre at Inglesham in Wiltshire, where he was exercised regularly on a water treadmill.

Mann added: "He is ready for a run, but having got this far I'm not going to risk him on very soft ground. He may start off in the Aon Chase at Newbury because he needs a small field to boost his confidence.

"He's in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and I'll also enter him for the Grand National. Noel has always regarded him as an ideal type for the big fences."