Another Numbersixvalverde? Thyestes winner Longhouse Poet in line for Aintree

Martin Brassil knows exactly what it takes to land racing's most famous race, having plundered the 2006 Grand National with Numbersixvalverde, and the shrewd trainer is plotting a familiar path back to Aintree with Thyestes Chase hero Longhouse Poet.

Weights for the £1 million Randox-backed highlight will be revealed on Tuesday and Brassil will be watching on closely to see how his representative fares considering he holds an Irish mark of 154.

Owned by Sean and Bernardine Mulryan, the classy eight-year-old was hit with a 9lb rise for last month's Gowran success, having been the subject of good ante-post support in the days leading up to the €100,000 feature.

Longhouse Poet given 33-1 quote for Grand National after Thyestes Chase triumph

Numbersixvalverde memorably pulled off the Thyestes-Irish Grand National double a year before striking at Aintree under Niall 'Slippers' Madden.

Brassil said: "He took his run in the Thyestes well and depending on what weight he gets, a decision will be made as to whether he'll stay at home or go to Aintree.

Longhouse Poet: under consideration for the Randox Grand NationalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"It's out of our hands and there's no point in pre-empting it. Hopefully there are plenty more good races in him."

Brassil ruled out a Cheltenham Festival bid for Longhouse Poet before tackling the Aintree showpiece on April 9, for which he is a general 33-1 chance.

"There's less emphasis on jumping in the National nowadays and more on speed," said the Kildare trainer.

"Hopefully that might suit our horse. He's been placed in two Grade 1 hurdles over two miles and four and two miles and six. That will hopefully help him be positioned wherever he wants to be in a race like that."

'Aintree is very much the target ' - Mcloughlin hopeful Freewheelin Dylan will reach Grand National threshold

Dermot McLoughlin is hoping a domestic rating of 146 will be sufficient for last season's Irish Grand National hero Freewheelin Dylan to get into the Randox feature.

Some runners rated 145 managed to creep in at the foot of last year's weights, with all 146-rated performers securing their berth.

"Aintree is very much the target and I'm hopeful we'll sneak in," said McLoughlin.

Freewheelin Dylan: edged out Run Wild Fred to win last year's BoyleSports Irish Grand NationalCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"We gave him a little break and it'll be the same plan as last year. He'll come back to me in two or three weeks and takes no getting ready."

Freewheelin Dylan, who became the biggest-priced winner of the Irish Grand National at 150-1 last April, is owned by McLoughlin's head groom Sheila Mangan, who could only watch on from home last year due to racing taking place behind closed doors.

Mangan memorably backed her pride and joy at 66-1, 100-1 and 150-1 in the run-up to the Fairyhouse race, and Freewheelin Dylan is a top-priced 100-1 with bet365 to cause another upset at Aintree.

"After missing him winning the Midlands and Irish Grand National last season it's great for her to be able to get some fun out of him this time around," said McLoughlin.

"He's probably ground dependent and got things his own way at Fairyhouse but jumping is his forte. When things are going well for him and the ground is right, he puts it in for you. When he does that you never know what might happen."

Randox Grand National (April 9)

Sky Bet: 14 Galvin, Snow Leopardess, Mount Ida, 16 Any Second Now, Run Wild Fred, 20 Secret Reprieve, Minella Times, 25 bar

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