Davy Russell has been booked to ride Saint Are in the Randox Health Grand National on Saturday week.
The Tom George-trained 11-year-old was runner-up to Many Clouds in the 2015 renewal of the Aintree spectacular, but was pulled up 12 months ago.
However, he ran his best race of the season so far when beaten just a head in a veterans' chase at Doncaster last month and with stable jockey Adrian Heskin set to partner Double Shuffle, George has moved quickly to book the services of former Irish champion jockey Russell to ride his stable companion.
Speaking on his website www.tomgeorgeracing.co.uk, the trainer said: "Double Shuffle and Saint Are are on target for the Grand National. They are both looking fantastic and are working well.
"Adrian Heskin will be riding Double Shuffle and Davy Russell has been booked to ride Saint Are.
"We are very much hoping the good weather continues for the pair of them and the rain stays away."
