JASON TITLEY, whose career has thrived since he guided Royal Athlete to victory in last year's English Grand National, reckons Monsieur Le Cure could prove the answer to punters' prayers at Aintree this time round.
The young Irishman was struggling to make his mark in Britain until hitting the headlines at Liverpool and has not looked back since, amassing 34 winners this season.
Strengthening his association with Henrietta Knight, he has also formed a new link with Monsieur Le Cure, one of two British challengers for Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
He has ridden the John Edwards trained chaser twice, culminating in an excellent second behind One Man in the King George VI Tripleprint Chase at Sand own.
And he believes the 10 year old is the ideal candidate for Aintree's 41/2 mile marathon.
"He's a great jumper, clever too and capable of getting the trip as well. He's probably the best ride in the race, tough as old boots who will keep going all day for you," he said yesterday.
"The first time I rode him at Haydock I told Mr Edwards to put him in the National because he was that type of horse. He would have a live chance in the Gold Cup too and I am looking forward to riding him as many times as I can."
Monsieur Le Cure is already in Ireland, following last weekend's postponement, but after Sunday connections are aiming at both Cheltenham and Aintree, despite only a 16 day interval.
"He won at Cheltenham and Liverpool two years ago as a novice and, although the time difference is shorter, I don't think it would cause him any problems. He improves with racing and Sunday's race should suit him down to the ground," the jockey added.
Titley last rode Royal Athlete when pulling him up in the Scottish Grand National. But the 13 year old has yet to reappear this season and his trainer Jenny Pitman admits that time is running out.
Ready to run last month, her stable star suffered a setback when pulling off a shoe and breaking off a piece of his foot.
The leading bookmakers rate him a 25-1 chance to gain a repeat victory at Aintree, odds which failed to tempt early investors in the big race following yesterday's weights publication.
Young Hustler yet to complete the National, was backed down Ladbrokes and William Hillwhile Superior Finish at 20-1, Party Politics and Earth Summit at 25-1 also attracted interest.
The Tote also report interest in Party Politics who they have cut to 20-1 from 25's. Other moves see As Des Carres tightening to 33-1 (from 40s) and Nuafffe on offer at 40-1 (from 66-1).
Hills have decided to make an ex gratia payment to punters who backed National non qualifiers such as McGregor The Third.
"Under ante post rules these bets should be losers, but the National is a unique race and it is hard enough trying to find the winner of the race without finding that your ante post runner can't get in," said spokesman David Hood.
"A lot of people backed McGregor The Third alter he won the cross country race at Cheltenham earlier in the year. He jumped like a buck and could be a National horse next year, but this time around we will give them their money back."
Simon bow's Asking For Kings (Frederic Sanchez) finished a creditable two lengths third to Megaron in the 10 furlongs Prix du Trayas at Cagnes sur Mer yesterday. Stablemate Confronter (Eric Saint Martin) was a four and a half lengths fourth to 17.5-1 shot Dusty Ocean in a the Prix d'Avignon, a one mile handicap.
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