Fehily ready for Blaklion National tilt

Noel Fehily is looking forward to riding Blaklion in next month’s Grand National at Aintree.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has turned to Fehily to pair up with the 2016 RSA Chase winner on April 8 after it was confirmed that his son Sam Twiston-Davies will ride Gold Cup fifth Saphir Du Rheu.

Blaklion has failed to win so far this season, although he did finish second to National favourite Vieux Lion Rouge in the National Trial at Haydock, giving the winner 6lb.

Fehily, who has had a successful campaign to date, having won the Champion Hurdle on Buveur D’Air and the Champion Chase on Special Tiara at the recent Cheltenham Festival, is confident Blaklion can deliver.

He told Racing UK: “It’s a great ride to pick up, I watched the race at Haydock – he jumped very neat and he’s got a bit of class as well. Hopefully he’ll be a good ride.”