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| Aintree News 7th - 9th April 2005 |
Clan Royal is Grand National favourite
16/12/04
National
runner-up Clan Royal finished out of the places on his return to action
at Bangor yesterday, but did his Aintree prospects no harm
in the process.
Beaten just three lengths by Amberleigh House in last season's steeplechase
marathon, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained nine-year-old had to settle for
fourth
behind Tanterari on his seasonal reappearance in a handicap hurdle.
Champion jockey Tony McCoy was certainly happy enough, saying afterwards: "He
was a bit keen. It was his first run of the season and he will have got
that out of his system now. He has run well really."
William Hill
were also impressed and cut the JP McManus-owned gelding
to 16-1 favourite from 20s for the big one next April.
