Let's hope he can gobble up the race just like he does his dinner

Charlie Longsdon's assistant Marcus Foley with the daily lowdown as Sharp Rise prepares to tackle the American Grand National in New Jersey on Saturday

Sharp Rise has taken to life very easily over here. He's a very straightforward horse to deal with but he doesn't like fuss. His thinking is that you can come and ride me and brush me, but then clear off and let me eat my dinner. He's not a fussy eater either - he calls for his breakfast, lunch and dinner and clears the lot.

That attitude should stand him in good stead for Saturday when he'll be racing in front of 40,000 at Far Hills. It's a really big event here. He's got two-and-a bit circuits to negotiate and 11 fences, which are the lower American-sized ones which will suit his jumping. The course is slightly undulating with tight turns and hopefully he'll like that too.