Alcester trainer Skelton eyeing glory in the 2018 Grand National

ALCESTER trainer Dan Skelton will saddle his first runner in this Saturday's 2018 Randox Health Grand National when Virgilio lines up in the feature race at Aintree (5.15pm).

Famous fences including Becher's Brook and The Chair await the 40 runners and riders who have made the grade for the big event.

Nine-year-old Virgilio, who will be ridden by Dan's brother Harry, has an excellent record at Aintree, with three wins at the course and two creditable performances at the Grand National Festival.

He pulled up on his last run at Doncaster, but a breathing operation since could help spark a revival for the 66/1 shot.

Skelton said: “Virgilio is not the biggest horse in the world so the Grand National has not been a long-term plan that we’ve really thought about, but he is a horse who loves to run for you.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve and, when I worked for Paul Nicholls, Neptune Collonges wasn’t a big horse, but he won the Grand National in 2012 so that doesn’t put us off him.

“It’s the Grand National and anything is possible.”