Adrian Heskin targets Grand National dream double as The Wolf set to pounce at Ayr

Adrian Heskin is heading for Ayr aiming to kick-off a dream Grand National double.

The cultured jockey can’t wait for two potentially-magical weekends beginning with his trip to Scotland.

Heskin will partner a host of top-class horses over two days at Ayr in his post as retained rider for popular owner Max McNeill.

Among the talented string is the Fergal O’Brien-trained Timeless Beauty, who is owned in partnership with Scottish brothers Patrick and Scott Bryceland.

However, Heskin’s biggest mount is The Wolf in Saturday’s showpiece National with the contest having been on the agenda for a while.

Heskin said: “I’m looking forward to having a runner in the Scottish National and this has been the plan for a while for The Wolf.

“He fits the bill for the race well. He has proven himself to be effective over the marathon trips this year.

“I suppose you could say he is a bit of an enigma as he has plenty of ability, but keeps missing a fence late in his races.

“But he has the ability to win a big handicap like the Scottish National and you would feel his time is going to come at some stage.”

If the Olly Murphy-trained eight-year-old can win, Heskin will then be on for a famous National double as he’s due to partner Aintree favourite Escaria Ten for Gordon Elliott seven days later on Merseyside.

He continued: “Escaria Ten has the right profile for the race. This has been his target and there are few better than training one for a target than Gordon.

“It’s a race that takes a bit of luck, but with a bit of that on our side, we could run a big race.

“I should be riding Senior Citizen as well in the Topham and, hopefully, he’ll put in another good show again because he really likes Aintree.”

First, though, it’s Ayr and, no