Hughes is hoping for better luck with his National pair

Dessie Hughes has not had the greatest of luck in the John Smith's Grand National but the top Irish trainer feels confident that Vic Venturi and In Compliance can go well in Saturday's Aintree showpiece.

As a jockey, Hughes never even got as far as Becher's Brook first time and as a trainer he has suffered numerous setbacks - notably seeing Black Apalachi unseat his rider when going well in 2009 before finishing second last year.

But the experienced duo could bring a change of fortunes this time.

Vic Venturi and In Compliance may not be among the leading fancies for the 4m4f race but both competed over the Aintree fences 12 months ago, with the former running well in the National until unshipping his jockey. He showed his liking for the course the previous autumn when winning the Becher Chase. In Compliance, meanwhile, showed plenty of promise when sixth in the Topham Chase 12 months ago.

Hughes said: "Vic Venturi was going well when he was brought down last year and has been trained for nothing else but this since.

"In Compliance is on a fair mark. He was unlucky the last day [having unseated his rider at Cork] but he had won nicely at Thurles the time before and has experience of the course.

"He does look nicely in, with 10st 5lb. They're not young horses but it's no race for a young horse."

Vic Venturi will be ridden by Andrew Lynch while Leighton Aspell steps into the plate aboard In Compliance.