Favourite Focus:

While we may be deprived of watching Tiger Roll bidding to make history, the same connections will saddle multiple Grade 1 winner DELTA WORK, who boasts a similar profile to the Aintree legend given that he arrives fresh from victory in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Arguably classier than his stablemate by virtue of his top level victories, the fact that Delta Work took to the cross country obstacles so well suggests that the spruce fences of Aintree should be no issue. While the fact that he saw out the 3m6f trip really well offers further reason for optimism. He is therefore a solid contender who holds very sound claims.

Outsider to Consider:

Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen have a fine record over these spruce fences and their recent purchase NOBLE YEATS rates an intriguing contender. 

The Irish trained seven-year-old defeated subsequent Arkle runner-up Gabynako on his chasing debut and chased home Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase runner-up Ahoy Senor in Grade 2 company at Warwick in February. 

He was far from disgraced in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and has likely been trained with this race in mind. He could show up well if his inexperience doesn’t hamper him.

Grand National 2022 Prediction:

The mighty Tiger Roll managed to defy the aforementioned stat regarding previous Grand National participation and it’s certainly not out of the question for Minella Times given the ease of his victory 12 months ago. Delta Work makes obvious appeal too given his class, connections and Cheltenham Festival success. While Becher Chase heroine Snow Leopardess will also attract support.

However, it may be worth taking an interest in National Hunt Chase runner-up RUN WILD FRED, who has already claimed the silver medal in both the Thyestes Chase and Irish Grand National in addition to landing the Troytown Chase in convincing fashion.

It will be no easy task off his mark, but he will have the assistance of Davy Russell, who rode Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019, has plenty of experience in competitive handicaps and clearly stays very well.