McLernon all set for Becher as jockeys look forward to return of National fences

Racing's most famous obstacles will be jumped for the first time in 12 months at Aintree on Saturday and Richie McLernon cannot wait to fly over the Grand National fences in the William Hill Becher Handicap Chase.

McLernon came agonisingly close to winning the big one on Sunnyhillboy, who found the nose of Neptune Collonges too long in 2012, but could have another chance in the form of Kimberlite Candy, the commanding winner of Warwick's Classic Chase last season, who is 33-1 for Aintree glory in April.

The Tom Lacey-trained gelding had been a National fancy after that Warwick success before the race was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning its unique fences have been gathering dust since this meeting last year.

"We all relish riding over them, especially if you're on a nice horse like Kimberlite Candy," said McLernon, who was second on the eight-year-old in last year's Becher.

"If you get an opportunity to ride those fences, you get a great buzz and it's a great feeling. It's a beautiful course to ride, so I'm just very lucky I have the chance to ride it on a horse like him. His run in the Becher last year was lovely. He gave me a great spin and he was very good at Warwick. Tom had him spot on for the day."

Al smiles: McLernon winning at Warwick on Kimberlite CandyCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

More than 1,000 tickets went on sale for Aintree's fixture after the government gave the go-ahead for a limited number of spectators to attend sporting events in Tier 1 and Tier 2 regions from Wednesday.

The tickets have quickly sold out and the jockey added: "It'll be great to have people back. It's very important for our sport and the BHA have done a great job to keep racing on the road, and it will be lovely to have crowds back too."

McLernon's weighing room colleague Jerry McGrath is also set to be at Aintree to ride Seven Barrows big guns Santini and Might Bite, who are engaged in the William Hill Many Clouds Chase and William Hill Grand Sefton Handicap Chase.

Their regular rider Nico de Boinville will be at Sandown to partner Altior in the Betfair Tingle Creek and trainer Nicky Henderson said: "Jerry will ride them, and after that win on Floressa at Newbury on Saturday, you can see why. He's a top-class rider and is no reserve – he's a top man.

"Santini is in good shape from what I could see in the fog on Saturday morning. Everything is good, while Might Bite should enjoy the Grand National fences in the Sefton."

Second in the Gold Cup in March, Santini is a general 6-1 to go one better at Cheltenham this season.

Read more:

Sweet success for JP as National hope Kimberlite Candy strikes in Classic Chase

'He is a big part of my life' - Russell retires National hero One For Arthur

Grand National cancelled as Aintree card lost to spiralling coronavirus crisis

Santini's day out no substitute for a proper race - but nor was it meant to be

Tingle Creek tickets sell out in 17 minutes as Sandown prepares for spectators

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