Morris has sights set on Aintree

Racing: A crack at the 2009 Aintree Grand National is firmly in the sights of Mouse Morris after his Hear The Echo stormed to success in the Irish Grand National yesterday.

The seven-year-old had shown a decent level of form as a novice last year and had won at Grade Two level last January, but it had been downhill ever since.

However, racing over an extreme test — three miles and five furlongs — for the first time, he jumped impeccably and outstayed ante-post gamble Royal County Star from the Tony Martin yard to win by 12 lengths.

Notre Pere ran a cracker for a novice in third, with A New Story fourth. The latter's veteran stablemate Beef Or Salmon pulled up going to the second-last.

For Morris and jockey Paddy Flood, it was a welcome winner after a near-miss at Cheltenham with Venalmar.

"This horse disappointed in the Paddy Power, but a lot of mine were sick at the time," said Morris.

"He came right the week before Cheltenham and he travelled very well and jumped super.

"He is a real National-type horse and he would have gone to Aintree this year only he wouldn't have got in. The plan is to go to Aintree next year."