Jonjo O’Neill feels top weight is not ideal but he still has hopes for Minella Rocco in the Randox Health Grand National.
The JP McManus-owned gelding was set for another run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier this month but in the end was declared a non-runner due to the testing conditions at Prestbury Park.
Minella Rocco has been left at the head of the weights following the second forfeit stage but O’Neill is confident that with good ground his charge can put in a good showing at Aintree for the Grand National.
He said: “The ground got very heavy (at Cheltenham) and, as we all know, he’s got a wind problem and that ground wouldn’t help him, so we saved him for here.
“So long as we get good ground, we’ve a good chance.
“He’s won over four miles, so he just has to get another half a mile. Top weight isn’t ideal, but that’s the way it is and he’s a big horse, so hopefully he can carry it.
“He jumps well and keeps galloping, so the National was always at the back of my mind.”
