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Grand National: Owner JP McManus snaps up leading Aintree contender Enjoy D’Allen who stays with Ciaran Murphy

Enjoy D'Allen is as short as 12/1 for the Grand National at Aintree in April after finishing fifth at the Dublin Racing Festival; Ciaran Murphy's eight-year-old was third in the Irish Grand National last year

Enjoy D'Allen and Conor Orr (near) win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Steeplechase at Fairyhouse
Image: Enjoy D'Allen and Conor Orr (near) win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Steeplechase at Fairyhouse

Randox Grand National hope Enjoy D'Allen has been bought by JP McManus but will stay with trainer Ciaran Murphy.

The eight-year-old was third to shock winner Freewheelin Dylan in last season's Irish National and has run with great credit in two big handicaps this term.

He was third to School Boy Hours in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas and was not disgraced back over hurdles behind Good Time Jonny at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The Lesters live on Sky Sports Racing
The Lesters live on Sky Sports Racing

The 2021 Lesters winners will be crowned live exclusively on a special edition of Sky Sports Racing's Get In show on Friday, February 25.

"It's huge for us that we could recommend a horse of this calibre to Mr McManus and that he will stay in training here at Charlestown," said Murphy.

"He's in good order after his latest run over hurdles at Leopardstown and the plan is to keep him fresh and go straight to Aintree.

JP McManus has now had 4000 winners as an owner
Image: JP McManus has won the Grand National twice before, including in 2021 with Minella Times

"He ran a cracker in the Paddy Power at Christmas and it's now all about getting him to Aintree in good form."

Enjoy D'Allen is as low as 12/1 for the Aintree spectacular.

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McManus enjoyed victory in the Grand National last year with Henry de Bromhead's Minella Times and in 2010 with Jonjo O'Neill's Don't Push It.

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