'It's exciting because he's got a chance' - Henderson sweet on National outsider

Nicky Henderson, whose Grand National record since Liberthine finished a fine fifth in 2007 reads FU9U0FPP0UF0P, reckons Caribean Boy is his most realistic chance for some time of lifting his Aintree curse.

The six-time champion trainer – Britain's most successful at the Cheltenham Festival – saddled Zongalero to finish second in the 1979 National, while Classified was third in 1986 and The Tsarevich runner-up the following year.

Henderson has had little to shout about in the Aintree showpiece since, but is warming to the idea Caribean Boy can give him the missing piece from his illustrious CV.

The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned grey is a general 66-1 chance for the Randox-sponsored National, which takes place on Saturday at 5.15 and is live on ITV.

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An eight-year-old bruiser, the gelding, who will be ridden by Nico de Boinville, was a Grade 2 novice chase winner last term and looked the part when taking a Kempton handicap in January.

"He schooled over the National fences in Upper Lambourn last week and it went very well – he was really good," Henderson said. "He's always struck us as the right horse for this – he's a big, strapping, long-striding bold jumper who does stay.

"He doesn't want extremes of ground and it was horrible when he was pulled up at Ascot last time. He doesn't like that, but is in really good order."

Of his record in the world's most famous race, which includes nine horses who have either fallen or unseated at the first fence, Henderson added: "We've had seconds and thirds and nearly ones with fallers on the second circuit when they might have been in very good positions.

Nicky Henderson: trainer has never won the NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

"What's really nice and good for everyone at our end is that we're going into it this with a runner, which we haven't had many of over the last few years, but a runner that I'd consider to be a realistic runner.

"That gives it a bit more excitement and you'd say one or two of ours in recent years were outsiders who deserved to be outsiders whereas this horse is probably more in the middle of the pack.

"It's exciting because he does give us a chance and if you're not in, you can't win."

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