/ Editor / 11 April 2007 /

Peter Bowen says the chances of training his first-ever Grand National winner, via McKelvey or Ballycassidy, have not been hindered by the prospect of quickening ground at Aintree over the next three days.

"McKelvey stays well and jumps great. The ground will suit him perfectly and Tom O'Brien takes the ride," explained Bowen, who sent out McKelvey to finish a staying-on sixth in the Becher Chase run over the National fences in November 2006.

"Ballycassidy ran very well last year and was a bit unlucky to come down at the 25th, and you do need luck in the National," he added.

Bowen also has Dunbrody Millar entered in Saturday's Aintree showpiece, although the nine-year-old still needs a handful of horses to withdraw if he going to make the final cut of 40 runners.

McKelvey has previously been matched at 220 to small stakes but is now trading at 23, having been the subject of steady support since winning his prep race over hurdles at Bangor in March.

Ballycassidy was still in the lead and going great guns at Valentine's Brook on the second circuit when making an untimely exit in the race 12 month ago. His form has not been quite so good this season and is currently available to back at 80.

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