Ready to Rock Up? 

Local horse West End Rocker is worth backing in the National says Swindon's John Francome

 

A Swindon horse with a Swindon jockey has a very real chance of landing the Grand National on Saturday.

 

West End Rocker, trained by Alan King in Wroughton and ridden by local jockey Wayne Hutchinson, is second favourite for the world's greatest steeple chase at 12-1.

 

 

The 10-year-old has been heavily backed after winning the Becher Chase at Aintree in December when he beat the well-fancied Paul Nicholls entry Niche Market by a staggering 22 lengths.

 

And with the horse liking the ground on the softer side - and more rain forecast in Liverpool before Saturday - everything is working out in West End Rocker's favour according to Swindon's seven-time former champion jockey, John Francome.

 

"He'll definitely love the ground," Francome told SwindonWeb today, "and Alan King will know how to get him right for the race.

 

"You need a bit of luck in the National so a bit of rain and a clear round and he'll have a great chance.

 

"He'll be closer to first than last, that's for sure."

 

The race starts at 3.20pm.