Takingrisks plans for Grand National success at Aintree

The Nicky Richards-trained challenger, currently at 40/1 with most bookies, landed the Scottish National in 2019 and sprang a 40-1 surprise in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster in January.

Richards confirmed Takingrisks' regular partner Sean Quinlan will be in the saddle at the weekend.

"Sean gets on grand with him and is having a good season," said Richards.

"We've a good horse in top condition and a confident jockey riding him. He knows the old boy, so let's see how we get on."

The trainer's father, the late Gordon Richards, won the Grand National twice with Lucius in 1978 and Hallo Dandy in 1984. Richards has taken a leaf out of his book by building National-style fences to give Takingrisks an example of what to expect on the big day.

"He's done everything we've wanted the old lad to do. He's ready and we're all looking forward to it," said the Greystoke handler.

"We built three fences. He had a look the other morning and he's had a proper go at them. We've done what my father used to do."