Terry Caldwell today gave his new buy Mountain Path the go-ahead to tackle Saturday's Martell Grand National.
But the Warrington-based trainer is holding fire on an Aintree jockey for the 10-year-old, whom he reckons was a bargain at the 5,000 guineas he cost at last week's Doncaster sales.
"I haven't got a clue who will ride him," he admitted. "We are keeping our powder dry as there are always one or two defectors and there will be no shortage of riders.
"Mountain Path is in fine form, though he wouldn't want the ground too firm. We haven't pushed too many 'go-buttons' with him but his form shows he is a good horse.
"He's only 10 and he can go hunter chasing and point-to-pointing. Where can you get a horse like him for just five grand, with a National entry?"
Mountain Path, who has been leased to one of Caldwell's existing owners for corporate entertainment on Saturday, was formerly trained by Nicky Henderson.
He is quoted at 66-1 for the National by Ladbrokes, having run moderately since a win at Huntingdon in January.
Surveying his prospects for Saturday, Caldwell said: "Anything can happen. Realistically we need a 'Foinavon' but I think he will jump round."
