CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon is bubbling with excitement at the prospect of saddling Pendra and Drop Out Joe in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Pendra, a general 50-1 shot, will be having his second crack at the world’s greatest steeplechase after finishing 13th last year under Aidan Coleman – who is set to ride again – when his chances were hit by an overnight deluge which turned the ground soft.

Drop Out Joe, who is quoted at 80-1, lines up in the £1m spectacular for the first time.

“It is exciting,” said 41-year-old Longsdon after the pair had exercised at his Hull Farm Stables. “I am looking forward to it.”

Pendra will arrive at Aintree on the back of a heartbreaking defeat at the Cheltenham Festival.

He look poised to give the trainer a long-awaited first win at the meeting in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase only to be collared on the run-in by Domesday Book.

“Pendra’s run at Cheltenham was fantastic, but gutting,” added Longsdon.

“Better ground is going to give him every chance of getting home.”

Following a series of niggling problems, Drop Out Joe, the mount of Tom O’Brien, will be running for the first time since landing the John Smith’s Summer Cup at Uttoxeter in June.

“Joe is off a career-high mark of 152 and that will make it very tough, but we have always thought of him as a National horse, and that the fences and trip will suit him,” said Longsdon.

It will also be a big day for the horses’ stable grooms.

Pendra, who carries the colours of the legendary JP McManus, will be led up again by Jess Benfield, 21, from Chipping Norton.

And Drop Out Joe, owned by The Jesters syndicate, which consists of Bristol-based businessman Robert Aplin, Josh Llewellyn and Steve Cochrane, is looked after by Anneli Lewis, 24, who hails from Newtown.