Gold Cup the dream as Minella Rocco misses Grand National

It was less of this, More Of That as Jonjo O'Neill and JP McManus ruled ante-post favourite Minella Rocco out of the Randox Health Grand National with the aim of turning him into a Gold Cup winner.

Minella Rocco had leapt to the top of Aintree betting after finishing second behind Sizing John in the Gold Cup on Ffriday but that effort was so good it has earned him another crack at the Cheltenham showpiece in 12 months instead of a tilt at Aintree on April 8.

McManus and O'Neill will rely instead on stablemate More Of That, who was sixth in the Gold Cup and who his trainer reckons is an ideal type for the race.

"It was not an easy decision," O'Neill admitted about Minella Rocco, a top-priced 16-1 on Tuesday for the Gold Cup. "But he had a hard race in the Gold Cup and he's only seven years old. He's entitled to go back and have another go next year, hopefully.

"I was delighted with him in the Gold Cup, he ran a cracker. If there had been a little bit more time in between the two races we would have had a go but it is a bit quick for him. He deserves a good holiday."

In good form

More Of That has 11st 5lb to carry in the National and O'Neill said: "He's the ideal type for the race. He's in good old form, he came out of the race well.

"He just seems to have lost a bit of toe, a bit of sparkle, so I always find that's the right time to come to the National with a horse. He's relaxing a bit better, jumping well and he did nothing wrong at Cheltenham.

"This will be his first time at the trip and obviously that is unknown but the way he settled I can't see why he won't but you never know until you try. He's a good, economical jumper and he's an intelligent sort of horse," added O'Neill, whose Shutthefrontdoor will bid to repeat his 2014 success in the Irish Grand National rather than have a third crack at Aintree.

Minella Rocco's absence leaves Vieux Lion Rouge clear favourite in most lists and the Grand National Trial winner is reported in excellent shape by David Pipe.

"He battled on really well at Haydock last time and his preparation so far has been good," the trainer said. "He ran very well in the race last year and he's stronger this year, he seems to be finishing his races better.

"I don't think the ground will be of much of a concern for him over the Grand National trip, he seems to like the fences and Tom Scudamore is very much looking forward to the ride."

Paul Nicholls' jockey Sam Twiston-Davies has yet to finalise his choice of mount but said he was leaning towards Gold Cup fifth Saphir du Rheu.

"Saphir du Rheu is going there in good form, he jumped really nicely at Cheltenham and travelled really well for a long way and he hit the line running," he said.

"It will be a new test stamina-wise but the way he races he doesn't waste any energy so hopefully he will give himself every chance. Vicente is proven over four miles, he and always does well in the spring so he is a potential solid candidate as well."

Jimmy Moffatt is happy with Highland Lodge, who was just pipped by Vieux Lion Rouge when bidding for a repeat win in the Becher Chase last autumn.

"He seems to be better than ever," the trainer said. "It's all gone very well and we're very hopeful."

Randox Health Grand National card and betting