Rachael Blackmore is confident Minella Indo is well placed to put up a solid showing at this year\u2019s Grand National at Aintree.<\/p>\n The 11-year-old has been an incredible horse for connections in the past, winning the Albert Bartlett and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in the past. <\/p>\n Blackmore\u2019s ride for the world\u2019s most prestigious steeplechase may not be the force of old, though, and his whole season had been built around the Cross Country at Cheltenham, which was abandoned.<\/p>\n Despite that setback, Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to win the Grand National back in 2021, believes her mount has all the credentials required to go well.<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m delighted to have such a fantastic ride in the Grand National,\u2019 Blackmore told Betfair. \u2018It\u2019s such an important, special race. It\u2019s brilliant to be riding in the race.<\/p>\n \u200c\u2019I think if you are down at the start in the Grand National, you have as good a chance as anyone.<\/p>\n \u2018But to be down at the start on a former Gold Cup winner will be brilliant.<\/p>\n Coach Rambler 6\/1 \u200c\u2019Minella Indo is a very classy horse who I\u2019m hoping will take to Aintree well. It was really disappointing that he didn\u2019t get to run at Cheltenham, when the Cross-Country Chase was abandoned.<\/p>\n \u2018But he\u2019s in great order and we\u2019re really hoping that he can run a big race. It should be a great race. It always is.\u2019<\/p>\n Blacmore has three other rides on Saturday, including Mahon\u2019s Way, a 33\/1 shot in the Novices\u2019 Hurdle.<\/p>\n \u2018Mahon\u2019s Way will be stepping up into Grade 1 company when he runs in the Mersey Novices\u2019 Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday,\u2019 Blackmore added.<\/p>\n \u2018He was disappointing in his two runs after he won his maiden hurdle at Naas in November. <\/p>\n \u2018They were both at right-handed tracks and, back at Naas the last day, going left-handed again, he seemed to run much better in finishing second to Fun Fun Fun, in front of Mirazur West, who won the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse. He galloped out to the line.<\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re hoping that that might be significant, so, back left-handed now again at Aintree, we\u2019re hoping that he can go well again. <\/p>\n \u2018Obviously this is very competitive, he\u2019s going to have to improve on what he has done so far if he\u2019s going to be involved, but we really think that he is a horse who has a lot of ability and that we just haven\u2019t seen the best of him yet. We\u2019re hoping that he can be competitive.\u2019<\/p>\n \n\t \n\t \n\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Rachael](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/GettyImages-1232225877.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=644%2C440\")
\n<\/div>![\"Rachael](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/GettyImages-1236225050.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C341\")
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\n\t\t\t\tGRAND NATIONAL ODDS\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
I Am Maximus 7\/1
Vanillier 8\/1
Meetingofthewaters 8\/1
Mr Incredible 12\/1
Panda Boy 12\/1
Kittys Light 12\/1
Limerick Lace 14\/1
Mahler Mission 16\/1
Delta Work 18\/1
Minella Indo 20\/1
Noble Yeats 20\/1
Nassalam 22\/1
Galia Des Liteaux 25\/1
Latenightpass 25\/1
Coko Beach 25\/1
Galvin 33\/1
Chemical Energy 33\/1
Capodanno 33\/1
Stattler 40\/1
Adamantly Chosen 40\/1
Mac Tottie 50\/1<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\tMORE : Bloody noses and punches spoil Ladies Day at Aintree
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\n\tMORE : Grand National 2024 supercomputer predicts surprise 14\/1 Aintree winner
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\n\tMORE : How many horses have died at the Grand National ahead of 2024 race?
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