Sir Alex Ferguson's Viking to raid Aintree

Harry The Viking jumps a fence at Cheltenham last year (Getty Images)

Harry The Viking, who carries the silks of Sir Alex Ferguson, was today confirmed as a possible runner in the John Smith's Grand National.

Owned by the Manchester United manager in partnership with three others, Harry The Viking finished runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival last season and was ninth in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November on his last start. Paul Nicholls, his trainer, posted a picture on Twitter of the horse schooling under Daryl Jacob, who won him the race last year on Neptune Collonges, and added that he would be joined among the Aintree entries by Tidal Bay and Join Together. Harry The Viking was cut to 33-1 from 40-1 by Coral.

Officials at Cheltenham are increasingly optimistic that their big Festival trials card on Saturday can be salvaged – at worst, by staging it on Sunday.

Turf account

Chris McGrath's Nap

Vitznau (5.30 Kempton) Remains well treated under a penalty after returning to form for his new yard.

Next best

Mr Optimistic (8.0 Kempton) Down the weights and last run promised he would soon take advantage.