Nolan to run Lanturn

Lanturn is ready to become Wexford trainer Paul Nolan's first runner in the Grand National at Aintree on April 7th. The 11-year-old gelding joined his team this season, having won the Kerry National in 1999 for Pat Hughes.

Lanturn has not run since finishing fifth behind Foxchapel King at Cheltenham in November and missed the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday because of the heavy ground.

Nolan, who started training in 1998, said: "We'd very much like to run Lanturn in the Martell Grand National as he stays all day and has a good weight (9st 11lb).

"He's a much better horse on good ground which, given the rain we've had this year, means we have not been able to run him much.

"As Pat Hughes said when he trained Lanturn, he's a really natural jumper so I think he should handle the Aintree fences well."

Charlie Mann revealed yesterday that he has put his money where his mouth is and has backed Moral Support for the National. He is adamant the gelding "ran a super race" when a beaten favourite at Haydock last Saturday.

His gelding could manage only third behind Eltigri when sent off a 6 to 4 chance for the Mere House Handicap Chase, after which his odds for Aintree were pushed out to 25 to 1. But Mann said: "I thought he ran a super race, beaten just a length and a half by the winner who he was giving a stone and 10lb. I was very pleased as he blew very hard afterwards and needed the race.

Another National hopeful Hanakham is reported to be fine despite a mishap on his return to action at Haydock on Saturday.

The injury-prone gelding, winner of the Royal & SunAlliance Chase in 1997, came to grief at the 13th fence on his seasonal debut in Moral Support's race.Trainer Ginger McCaqin is now looking for another race for the 12tear old. "Tony Dobbin said that he would not have swapped his chances with anybody's. I think he was a bit ring-rusty."