Irish trainer Dermot McLoughlin is more than content with the Grand National weight given to his Irish National hero Freewheelin Dylan.
The 10-year-old gelding was a shock 150/1 winner of the Irish equivalent of the National at Fairyhouse, with a one and a quarter length victory from Run Wild Fred.
The Aintree Grand National has been a target ever since, with County Meath McLoughlin ensuring that Freewheelin Dylan is on a roll for the big one on April 9.
Rated 147 by the British handicapper, Freewheelin Dylan was allocated a burden of 10st 4lb when the National weights were officially revealed.
"That's great, we'd be very happy with that," McLoughlin said.
Freewheelin Dylan had some big supporters, Dermots cousin Ollie cheers him home?@RTEracing @RTEsport @hughcahill7 pic.twitter.com/Vm7UT7Myo8
— Ciara Reilly (@ciarareilly99) April 5, 2021
"It's absolutely ideal really, spot on for him so long as he gets in.
"I can't wait for the race, all we need now is the ground to come good for Aintree and we're away."
Freewheelin Dylan's Irish National win occurred on yielding ground, and McLoughlin is hoping for firmer conditions on Merseyside.
This season, the 10-year-old has unseated his rider in a November cross-country chase at Cheltenham and pulled up on soft ground over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month.
"He's not a winter horse and he wants top of the ground," said McLoughlin.
"When spring comes round he's a different horse altogether and that's a great weight to be going in off."




