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John McConnell endorses Mahler Mission's National prospects as he warns punters not to forget about Coral Gold Cup second
Mahler Mission (left) will have a racecourse gallop at Navan on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham
John McConnell warned punters not to forget Mahler Mission as he revealed plans to return the displaced Randox Grand National favourite to the course this weekend.
He is excited by the chance of the Coral Gold Cup runner-up and forecast "he should run a big race" at Aintree on April 13.
His eight-year-old, who has not raced since that fine effort at Newbury last December, was at the top of the market for the £1million showpiece when the weights were published last month but is now a best-priced 16-1, behind Gold Cup third Corach Rambler and several others.
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David CarrReporter
Copymore inGrand National festival
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more inGrand National festival
- 'They had no chance and kept others out' - Davy Russell believes qualifying races for the Grand National should be introduced
- Bookmakers report Grand National turnover as 'flat' compared with last year
- 'It's a different feeling, it's unique, it's the Grand National' - Aintree hero I Am Maximus gets a huge homecoming welcome
- 'It's going to be hard to get off this high' - David Maxwell dreaming of Aintree return following Grand National sixth
- 'We knew this would be the case' - earlier start time behind drop in viewing figures for Grand National says ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin