THIS weekend’s Grand National will be watched with keen interest by Bradford on Avon revellers and punters as locally trained horse, The Druids Nephew, is one of the favourites in this year’s race.

The eight-year-old is trained at Conkwell Grange stables, near Winsley, by Neil Mulholland and is currently the bookmaker’s fourth favourite for this year’s race at Aintree.

Interest in the horse is growing in the area ahead of the big race on Saturday afternoon.

Clive Hilton, owner of the Dog and Fox Pub on Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon, located a few miles from the stables, said: “We will definitely be showing the race and we usually have a few local people who are very interested in the horses who come in here.

“I think it’s fantastic to have a locally trained horse in the race and we will be supporting it all the way and I wish the best of luck to the jockey, trainer and owner.

“It would be great for the area if we had a Grand National winner.”

The horse, owned by The Stonehenge Druids, claimed Mr Mulholland’s first Cheltenham Festival victory last month by winning the Grade 3 Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase.

It will be The Druids Nephew’s first time in the Grand National and he will be ridden by jockey Aidan Coleman, replacing Barry Geraghty after he broke his leg in a fall.

Bradford on Avon horse owner Mike Burbidge, who has horses trained at the Winsley yard by Mr Mulholland, said: “It’s great that a locally trained horse is taking part in the Grand National and he’s got a good chance, I mean he’s got to make it round but he’s in with a chance.

“I’ve been working in Bradford on Avon today and I’ve had people come up to me because they know I’m associated with Neil and talking to me about the horse.

“I’m going up with Neil on Friday and I don’t have any horses in this year’s race so I’ve already backed The Druids Nephew because he’s got a good chance.

“Neil is a good really up-and-coming trainer so the horse could win.”

Mr Mulholland added: “We’ve received support more from people really in the racing world than locally but anybody who knows about the horse has wished us good luck."

A member of staff at bookmakers Backhouse, in St Margaret’s Street, Bradford on Avon, said: “The whole town’s really buzzing we’ve had people come in talking about the horse and they are so pleased that Neil has got a runner in this year’s race.

“People have been saying it would be a lovely thing for Neil to have a Grand National winner and no doubt they would love it if the horse won as well, especially if they’ve put a bet on it.

“We’ve had lots of people put bets on him - nothing big, just little flutters, but he’s definitely a strongly tipped favourite.”

Backhouse are offering odds of 14 to 1 but other bookies are quoting 12 to 1.