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Clan Royal is Grand National favourite
16/12/04
National runner-up Clan Royal finished out of the places on his return to action at Bangor yesterday, but did his Aintree prospects no harm in the process.

Beaten just three lengths by Amberleigh House in last season's steeplechase marathon, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained nine-year-old had to settle for fourth behind Tanterari on his seasonal reappearance in a handicap hurdle.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy was certainly happy enough, saying afterwards: "He was a bit keen. It was his first run of the season and he will have got that out of his system now. He has run well really."

William Hill were also impressed and cut the JP McManus-owned gelding to 16-1 favourite from 20s for the big one next April.