'If the two of them turn up at Aintree we won't be disappointed' - Grand National hopes stand out in Jonjo O'Neill team

Jonjo O'Neill paraded a team rich in youth at his rain-interrupted owners' day on Sunday but it was two horses who came of age over fences last season who arguably had the trainer most excited for the season ahead.

The Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has long had an affinity with staying chasers and, in Monbeg Genius and Iron Bridge, O'Neill has two likely candidates to fly the Jackdaws Castle flag in major handicap chases this campaign.

Monbeg Genius won three races on the bounce over fences last season but took his form to a new high when a close third behind subsequent Grand National hero Corach Rambler and future Grade 1 winner Fastorslow in a high-class running of the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Drying ground ruled him out of a tilt at the Scottish Grand National at the end of last season but he could look to emulate previous stable star Cloth Cap by winning the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December, while the Randox Grand National will be his end-of-season target.

"If the ground was soft you'd look at something like the Coral Gold Cup for Monbeg Genius," said O'Neill. "That race could really suit him but he'd probably need a run before and another option is the Becher Chase.

"We fancied him at Cheltenham so were disappointed he didn't win but, looking back at what the two in front of him did after that, maybe it wasn't such a bad run. Aintree would be the long-term plan."

Monbeg Genius (right): Coral Gold Cup a possibility if the ground were softCredit: John Grossick

Iron Bridge is also on the National trail, although his potential route to Aintree in the spring might include the Welsh equivalent on December 27. A winner at Haydock and Carlisle last season, Iron Bridge carries the Cloth Cap silks of the late Trevor Hemmings and O'Neill would love to see his colours make it to Aintree come April 13.

"He's more of a Welsh National type and wants it very soft," said the 71-year-old. "If the two of them turn up at Aintree we won't be disappointed."

Among a team of 120 horses at Jackdaws were 45 shaping up to run in either bumpers or novice hurdles and their trainer is hoping a star or two can emerge. One of the more likely contenders to leap from the pack at this stage is Hasthing, who joined O'Neill in February after winning his first two starts in France and finished third in a Grade 2 bumper at the Grand National meeting.

Along with Taunton bumper winner Johnnywho, Hasthing carries the silks of Jackdaws Castle landlord JP McManus, for whom O'Neill won the Gold Cup with Synchronised in 2012 and the National with Don't Push It in 2010.

"Hasthing has been schooled and we hope he'll make into a nice long-distance hurdle horse this season," said the trainer. "He's a big galloper, whereas Johnnywho is a smaller type of horse. He was visually impressive at Taunton on heavy ground but it's hard to gauge where he's at just yet."

Iron Bridge: could take in the Welsh National at ChristmasCredit: John Grossick

Huntingdon bumper winner Land Genie proved popular with Sunday's 250 guests and is another with plenty of potential in the novice hurdle division. A Flemensfirth half-brother to Champion Hurdle scorer Constitution Hill, Land Genie was bought as a store by O'Neill in 2021 and is typical of the trainer's buying policy in recent years as he works to bring the glory days back to one of the finest training establishments in Britain.

"It took a long time for the penny to drop at Huntingdon but he came home well in the end," the trainer added. "He's another one to look forward to but I'd say he'd want some cut in the ground."

While stable jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr was confident there is enough firepower at the yard to help him pass his best annual tally of 62 winners this season, younger brother AJ revealed he has completed his BHA training modules and is ready to join his dad on the training licence when the time is right.

"It will happen but we haven't given it a whole lot of thought just yet," said O'Neill snr. "It would be the sensible thing I'd say but no decision has been made at the moment."

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