Directors at Bristol firm ISL Recruitment are hoping they’ve found the ‘perfect candidate’ to win tomorrow’s Grand National – they’ve entered a horse with that name.
Perfect Candidate is owned by the city centre-based firm and more than half its 25 employees are travelling to Aintree tomorrow to cheer on the 10-year-old bay gelding. 
The horse, owned by Geoff and Donna Keeys, Henry Keeys and Alan Furley, will be ridden in the iconic race by Paddy Brennan. It was this week named as one of the 40 runners most like to go the length and its odds have narrowed from 50/1 to 40/1 over recent days.
Perfect Candidate faces the daunting task of clearing 30 fences over the famous course of four and a half miles.
But with the winner of the classic race likely to net around half a million pounds, the ISL staff are keeping everything crossed.
Henry, pictured below with Alan, said: “We bought Perfect Candidate in 2012 and have been lucky enough to see him race and win quite a few times. But on the run-up to last year’s National he was just pipped to the post and came 42nd in the listing which meant he didn’t run.
“So we’re thrilled to have him entered and are looking forward to being there with so many of our team – who are equally excited to have him taking part. 
“Perfect Candidate is a great horse and his part in ISL sums up our ethos – play to win but have a good time while you do.”
Perfect Candidate is stabled and trained at Fergal O’Brien Racing in Gloucestershire.
Fergal said: “This is the world’s greatest steeplechase and all eyes will be on Aintree this weekend. Perfect Candidate is a fine horse and we’re all looking forward to him stretching his legs on Saturday.”
ISL Recruitment was set up in 2007 and is run by Alan Furley, Henry Keeys and Geoffrey Keeys.
It specialises in recruiting into skilled and senior positions across the UK’s engineering and IT sectors.
