Hemmings could have a future Grand National contender with Marown

Leading owner Trevor Hemmings covets the Grand National more than any other race and in Marown, who impressed in the novice chase, he could have a future contender for the Aintree highlight.

"He was a nice horse going into today and he's still a nice horse now – he's a grand horse," said Nicky Richards.

"He's a wonderful prospect and we're on the journey and the dream's still alive. Where it ends, you never know with a big, lovely horse like him."

Marown was ridden by Brian Hughes, who is gunning for a second jockeys' title and also landed the bumper on the Hemmings-owned Hillcrest.

"Brian rides a good few of ours, so the more winners he has, the better for me," Richards added.

"It won't be for the lack of trying if he does get pipped, but he's going along grand and will hopefully keep it up and win it for the second time."

Danny McMenamin won division one of the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle on the Neil Mulholland-trained Peltwell.

He is employed by Richards, who went on: "It'd be brilliant for the north if Brian won the main title and Danny won the conditional jockeys' championship. He's doing very well and is a very good rider who will hopefully have a good career.

"He's very strong in a finish, but a jump jockey has got to have a bit more than that and he rides a race well and – for a conditional – he's very consistent."

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