Sam Twiston-Davies says Rocky Creek is in flying form as it emerged that the Crabbie ’ s Grand National hopeful could have been given a big advantage by the handicapper . Trained by Paul Nicholls , Rocky Creek — last seen when impressively winning the BetBright Chase at Kempton in February — was among 74 horses after the latest forfeit stage for the Aintree showpiece on April 11 . Lord Windermere , the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner trained by Jim Culloty , heads the weights on 11st 10lb , but Rocky Creek could have 9lb in hand . Sam Twiston-Davies rides Rocky Creek to victory in the BetBright Chase Day at Kempton . Twiston-Davies poses with his ride and trainer Paul Nicholls ( right ) after winning at Kempton . Twiston-Davies schooled the nine-year-old at Nicholls ’ Ditcheat base on Monday as preparations stepped up a gear , while Shutthefrontdoor — the 8-1 ante-post favourite — was put through his paces at Southwell under AP McCoy . While public sentiment will be with McCoy for the big race , Phil Smith , the BHA ’ s Head of Handicapping , warns that dangers to Shutthefrontdoor lurk all around , not least from Rocky Creek , who is available at 12-1 . Champions jockey AP McCoy exercises ante-post favourite Shutthefrontdoor at Southwell . Smith said : ‘ Rocky Creek was very impressive when he won at Kempton . If I was framing the weights now , I ’ d have him 9lb higher . I ’ d also have The Druids Nephew ( a winner at the Cheltenham Festival ) 10lb higher. ’ Rocky Creek will be one of six bullets that Nicholls aims at the £1million race , which he won in 2012 with Neptune Collonges , and the horse has been trained with Aintree in mind — he finished fifth 12 months ago to Pineau De Re . Twiston-Davies added of the gelding , who has run only three times this season : ‘ Fingers crossed , the horse seems to be in good order . Hopefully he ’ ll get there in one piece . I schooled him and he was very good . He did it well at Kempton and let ’ s hope he ’ s ahead of the handicapper . Twiston-Davies believes Rocky Road has a good chance of winning the big race at Aintree . ‘ When he ran in the Hennessy ( in November and was pulled up ) it was really bad ground and I would just write that run off altogether . We have to go to Aintree with an open mind. ’ As for Pineau De Re , his trainer Dr Richard Newland could require a new jockey as the veteran chaser bids to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to win back-to-back Grand Nationals . Leighton Aspell , who did the steering a year ago , could be claimed to ride Many Clouds . Newland said : ‘ I might have a few calls to make . It is Leighton ’ s ride if he is available . It is pointless getting worried at this stage . I ’ m sure there will be a few interested jockeys if Leighton isn ’ t available . ’
Rocky Creek impressively won the BetBright Chase at Twiston , February . Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies believes the gelding could have been given an advantage by the handicapper ahead of the Aintree showdown . AP McCoy and Shutthefrontdoor will get public vote at Grand National .