Noonan relishing Ramses National ride after getting into the winning groove

As a dress rehearsal for Saturday’s big race at Aintree, it could not have gone any better – David Noonan had an armchair ride on Eur Gone West for his boss David Pipe and the pair team up again in the Randox Health Grand National with Ramses De Teillee.

Noonan kept things simple on the 6-4 favourite as the pair made all in the 3m handicap hurdle and, despite a tendency to dive right at some of the flights, his backers had little to worry about as he strolled 26 lengths clear of Choix Des Armes.

The victory was a welcome turnaround in fortune for the rider as he had gone almost two years since his last visit to the winner’s circle at the Somerset circuit.