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'This plan makes sense' - Nassalam to skip Gold Cup as Gary Moore targets Aintree glory with first Grand National runner

Nassalam: jumps the last in isolation
Nassalam: will head straight to Aintree according to Gary MooreCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Gary Moore will resist the temptation of targeting the Gold Cup with Nassalam to give him the best chance of winning the Randox Grand National in a £1 million showdown set to be dominated by runners from Ireland.

John and Yvonne Stone's exciting seven-year-old will be kept fresh for a shot at the world's most famous steeplechase at Aintree, fulfilling a lifelong dream for Moore, who in 30 years as a trainer has never had a runner in the race.

Nassalam is expected to be one of only a handful of home challengers set to make the final field of 34, reduced from 40 this year, with the Grand National weights released on Tuesday.

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James StevensWest Country correspondent

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