Malmesbury pub regulars all backing Grand National hopeful

With punters up and down the country furiously reviewing form guides and odds, a pub in Norton, near Malmesbury, has a special reason for hoping the eight-year-old hopeful can pull off a remarkable victory.

Co-owner of The Vine Tree pub, Tiggi Wood, is a close personal friend of the horse’s part-owner Robert Atwell and is heading up to Aintree to see the race live.

She said: “It’s very exciting, people love it and this year in particular should be really good.

“Anyone can come along to watch it at the pub but we are going to Aintree which we do every year anyway.”

The odds on The Druids Nephew have dropped significantly since his victory in the Ultima Business Solutions 3 mile 1 furlong steeplechase on day one at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year.

His odds have dropped to around 14-1 which puts him among the favourites although Shutthefrontdoor, ridden by AP McCoy, remains a 7-1 favourite.

The Druids Nephew, trained at Conkwell Grange stables in Winsley, near Bradford on Avon, is part owned by Robert Atwell of Atwell Martin Estate Agents, who have offices in Chippenham, Calne and Swindon.

The estate agents sponsor The Druids Nephew, although none of the company’s logos will be visible on Saturday due to Crabbies sponsorship of the big event.

Mr Atwell said he, his fellow owners and around 25 friends will be cheering The Druids Nephew on from the crowded stands.

He said: “He won at the Cheltenham Festival on the Tuesday in a three mile chase, but this is a big big race which is very exciting.

“It’s a lottery, all horse racing is, but obviously the Grand National is such a big race, the biggest in the world.

“I think the fences, the way they were, we would not have risked him but they have improved them a lot. I’m looking forward to it immensely and hopefully he will do well.”

The Druids Nephew is trained by Neil Mulholland at Conkwell Grange stables, near Winsley.