Nicky Henderson and Jamie Snowden bid for glory in Grand National showdown at Aintree

Seven Barrows trainer Nicky Henderson is prepared to 'give it a go' in this year’s Randox Grand National at Aintree, which takes place at 5.15pm on Saturday (tomorrow).

The 70-year-old has will have one runner for the prestigious race in the form of OK Corral - who wears the colours of owner JP McManus and will be saddled by Derek O'Connor.

Henderson, who has never won the Grand National as a trainer, did enter OK Corral in last year's race, but that had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: "He was all ready for last year and he’s not had an ideal preparation for this year, but it’s always been the plan so we have to give it a go."

Jamie Snowden’s Hogan’s Height is the only other local runner in this year's showdown.

Speaking about his chances last month, the Folly House handler said: "It’s a great shame that it was off last season, but the pandemic was far more important than horse racing.

"It was quite sensibly suspended for a few months, but we’re back up and running and hopefully he can run his race this year."

Hogan’s Height last appeared at the Cheltenham Festival, when he finished sixth in the Glenfarcas Chase.

"He took a while to warm to his task, he was late down to the start and it took him a circuit to really get into a rhythm.

"When his chance was gone, Gavin [Sheehan] looked after him and nursed him round, but he’ll come on a great deal."

Both Snowden and Henderson will be bidding to land success for the Lambourn community, with Oliver Sherwood being the last local trainer to win this race with Many Clouds in 2015.

This year's favourite for the race is the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Cloth Cap, who won the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury Racecourse in November.

The nine-year-old has been primed for this race for some time now and certainly helped his credentials by also winning the Bet365 Premier Chase at Kelso last month.