COULD a breakout season for Danny Gilligan get even better today at Aintree?

The 17-year-old rising star from Co Galway has his first ride over the Grand National fences in this afternoon’s feature Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase (2.05), reuniting with his Troytown Chase-winning partner Coko Beach after the pair combined to land the Navan highlight 20 days ago.

A bold jumper who relishes soft ground, this could be an ideal test for the Gigginstown-owned eight-year-old, who pulled up two fences from home in last season’s Grand National when the ground was probably quicker than ideal for him.

Today’s three-mile-and-two-furlong trip ought to be more up his street, however, and Gilligan’s 5lb claim is a useful asset given the Gordon Elliott-trained candidate must shoulder top weight off a mark of 162 (9lb higher than when winning last time).

Gilligan told The Irish Field: “He’s a legend of a horse to ride, a jockey’s dream. He just jumps for fun. We had a great day together at Navan and hopefully we can have something similar this weekend at Aintree.

“He’s already had a run over the National fences and if brings the same sort of performance as he did in the Troytown, hopefully he should be bang there. It’s my first time to ride around the National fences and he’s a great horse to be going there with. Fingers crossed it all goes well.”

The Galway Plate-winning rider heads the conditional jockeys’ standings in Ireland this season with 27 winners and has been enjoying an excellent campaign.

“There are a lot of people behind me and I just can’t thank them enough for their support,” said Gilligan.

“My agent Garry Cribbin is doing a great job, and I’m very grateful to everyone who is helping me along.”

There is further Irish interest in the Becher Chase through the involvement of Now Where Or When (Liam Harrison) and Dorking Cock (J.J. Slevin), both representing the Stuart Crawford yard.