DAVID Casey's last three attempts at the Martell Grand National have all ended the same way - lying flat on his back after being catapulted out of the saddle.

This year, however, he has grand designs on not just safely negotiating the 30 fences that are scattered around four-and-a-half miles of Aintree's unique course - he has reason to believe he can actually win.

When the tapes go up tomorrow, Casey will be on board the leading Irish hope Hedgehunter, who has been favourite for the National ever since his pillar-to-post win in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January.

Hedgehunter's safe and accurate jumping will be a huge asset during the early hurly-burly of the National and Casey is adamant that he would want to swap his mount for anything else. He is, though, loathe to tempt fate.

"Touch wood his jumping has been good. I hate it when people say that about a horse that I'm riding!" said Casey, with a rueful smile.

"He ran great in the Hennessey at Newbury and the Welsh National before the Thyestes.

"But he seems in good order. I've sat on him a couple of times since his Thyestes' win and he has felt great. His last work on Tuesday was good. It's the Grand National, so you can never be sure of what is going to happen

"We're hopeful of a good run, though. He's a pretty adaptable horse and I'm not sure we are going to be able to make all on him. There will definitely be plenty of pace on. Whether I'll be in front or not is a different story.

Stuck

"I think if I just get a bit of room for myself, get a nice clean run and a sight of the fence, I'll be happy.

"I don't want to be stuck behind another horse because I just want to get a good jump into him."

Supporters of the Willie Mullins' trained eight-year-old have grown in confidence ever since one of the horses he thumped at Gowran Park, stablemate Rule Supreme, won the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham with Casey on board.

Further more, Hedgehunter appears to have all the qualities one would associate with a typical National winner - he jumps, stays well, is the right age and has a handy racing weight of 10st 12lb.

While he does not like comparing the two horses, 28-year-old Casey revealed that Hedgehunter is a slightly quicker horse than Rule Supreme and has come out on top when the pair have galloped at Mullins' stables.

"Hedgehunter appears to be a horse that is improving," Casey agreed. "Rule Supreme was third in Thyestes and he's won at Cheltenham since. The bit of class is there that you need and has that bit of toe as well to get a handy position.

"He travels and he stays. He's got everything you would want really. He wouldn't gallop regularly with Rule Supreme and they are two different types of horse. Hedgehunter would probably be a bit speedier. Now I'm just hoping for the best.

"This is a meeting that all the jockeys like coming to because there isn't as much pressure as with Cheltenham. Usually the build-up starts for the Festival in October but at Aintree we can relax a bit and enjoy ourselves."

Casey will be certainly be doing that if Hedgehunter happens to pass the post in first place.