The Rainbow Hunter looks on course for the Grand National

Kim Bailey remains keen on The Rainbow Hunter’s Grand National chances, despite the veteran’s poor reappearance at Kempton.

The 11-year-old was having his first run since unseating Aidan Coleman at the Canal Turn in the 2014 Grand National in the Grade 3 BetBright Gold Cup last weekend, but the 33/1 shot was pulled up by Noel Fehily before the 13th fence.

The gelding was soon struggling on the soft ground and did little to advertise his chances in this year’s Aintree marathon.

However, Bailey – who won the Grand National with Mr Frisk in 1990 – was not unhappy with the gelded son of Rainbow High’s performance and insists that better ground in April will be key to his improvement.

“I was fairly happy with the Kempton run,” Bailey told Beforetheoff.com

“The ground was terrible on the day and it did not suit him at all. He done well to get round as far as he did in the conditions.

“We’ve been quite lucky in a way. He’s been dropped three pounds since and would not have made the Grand National if the weights had been announced a week later.

“He’s been unlucky in his last two Grand Nationals after being pulled up and unseating when interfered with on both occasions.

“The better ground should see him improve at Aintree. Hopefully it can be third time lucky.”

Bailey has enjoyed a successful season and on Wednesday Allez Encore’s victory at Bangor gave the Gloucestershire-handler his 50th winner of the campaign.