Aidan Coleman believes his mount in the Crabbie's Grand National, The Druids Nephew, was one of the best rides he could possibly have picked up in Saturday's race.
With his usual partner Barry Geraghty injured, trainer Neil Mulholland was on the lookout for a suitable jockey and went for Coleman.
While Coleman has won over the unique fences before, his record in the National itself is instantly forgettable and he famously dismissed 100-1 winner Mon Mome in 2009 in favour of a stablemate.
"It is definitely one of the best rides to pick up. Phil Smith, the chief handicapper, says he is the best handicapped horse in the race," Coleman told the Daily Mail.
"The race should suit this horse. He seems quite hardy. He handled the hustle and bustle of the Cheltenham Festival and came out a very nice winner.
"That should stand him in good stead as far as the Aintree experience goes."
Warren Greatrex has made a flying start to training out of the famous Uplands Stables in Lambourn with a Cheltenham Festival winner already on the board and is due to saddle two runners.
The 13-year-old Tranquil Sea, ridden by stable jockey Gavin Sheehan, and Rowland Meyrick winner Dolatulo, whom Greatrex believes has been overlooked in the betting.
"I suppose he's not one of the sexy horses," Greatrex told The Times.
"But I know that Phil Smith, the handicapper, thinks he has a great chance and he's going there in the form of his life.
"He's a quirky type, one reason I haven't run him over fences since he won at Wetherby over Christmas. Dougie Costello rode him that day and keeps the mount.
"I remember being captivated by Aldaniti's National, when I was only six. My Dad has kept videos of the race every year since then and I've often watched them through, one after the other. To have two runners feels pretty special."
