'Hopefully he'll get a run' - Monbeg Genius cut to 33-1 for Grand National after breaking two-year winning drought

Monbeg Genius finally delivered, two years on from producing one of the strongest pieces of form at the Cheltenham Festival, to tee up a Grand National bid.

The Jonjo and AJ O'Neill-trained stayer recorded his first victory since February 2023 when landing the feature 3m handicap chase and it came off a mark 2lb higher than his eyecatching third in the Ultima, a month on from his last success.

That day he was beaten by Corach Rambler, who then followed up in the Grand National, and Fastorslow, who has gone on to topple Galopin Des Champs twice in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Monbeg Genius had finished third in last season's Coral Gold Cup and fourth in December's Welsh Grand National and his hardy five-length win may have booked his place at Aintree. He was cut to 33-1 (from 66s) with William Hill for the Grand National.

AJ O'Neill said: "Nick Scholfield gave him a lovely ride and it's great to see him get the job done. The National weights are out Tuesday, so we'll see what happens there, but hopefully he'll get a run.

"He's good with cut in the ground but ran a nice race at Newbury last season. We've been waiting for this day with him as the form at Cheltenham worked out well. It's great to see him get his head in front."

McMenamin magic

Surrey Belle got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles in the 2m mares' novice under Danny McMenamin, who completed a double when Burrows Hall landed the 2m4f handicap hurdle for Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith.

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