After Grand National weights were released earlier this week, Andy Holding evaluates and picks out two ante-post tips for the historic Grand National.
Grand National - Winner
A good deal of column inches has been used up on the smaller than usual number of entries for this year’s great race, but the fact remains there’s still only 40 can run and if your horse is languishing down at 50 or below, there’s still anxious times ahead hoping enough will drop out for your fancy to get in.
As is often the case, there looks to be plenty who you know damn well won’t run and of those speculative entries, it’s hard to see the likes of Conflated (Gold Cup bound), Hewick (also has Gold Cup as main target) Envoi Allen (unlikely stayer), Escaria Ten (didn’t stay last year), Fury Road (Ryanair bound), Chris’s Dream (Hunter Chase bound) making the gig.
Without going through every single entry, you can probably discard at least half a dozen in the current top 40, which means those with 10st 4lb or less have more than a fighting chance of working their way up the list come nearer the time.
Two who look almost certain to be there again bar injuries are last year’s first and second, Noble Yeats and Any Second Now. The former has been in terrific form since – which isn’t always the case with previous National winners – and a good run in the Gold Cup should set him up nicely in his bid to defend his title. The latter will have a similar task to the one he faced last season (top weight) and he seems primed to put up another bold bid following a more than adequate performance in a Grade 1 last time out.
Of those just outside the current cut, both MR INCREDIBLE (best price 16/1) and CORACH RAMBLER (best price 12/1) should have little issues getting into the race nearer the time and, with each having extremely compelling profiles, they are worth playing against the field at their respective prices.
The former seemed to rather lose his way when trained by Henry De Bromhead but since partnering up with his current handler, the son of Westerner looks to have some of his old mojo back. An early casualty when brought down at the fourth in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown back in December, Willie Mullins’ inmate was sent over the Irish Sea for his next outing in a bid to atone and although he didn’t quite manage to bring home the big prize, his performance in chasing home the well-ridden winner had to go down as a massive step in the right direction.
On an afternoon when it was extremely difficult to make up ground from the rear of the field, especially on the chase course, the seven-year-old was the only one who managed to buck the trend and considering that was technically his first outing for almost a year, his effort deserved marking up.
Based on that display, it’s fair to say the Grand National trip should be well within range for this lightly-raced type and with a visit to Cheltenham and The Kim Muir seen as a likely solid preparation, he makes more appeal than most.
The latter hails from a stable that captured the world’s greatest race with One For Arthur several years ago and, being a similar type, Lucinda Russell’s gelding is a must for any discernible shortlist.
Winner of last season’s Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival, coming from an uncompromising position to do so, the son of Jeremy couldn’t quite execute similar tactics in the Coral Handicap at Newbury when last seen, but it was still a fair effort in the circumstances and it was a run that proved he remains a force to be reckoned with in major staying handicaps.
Not seen out since with a view of protecting his current mark of 146, he now heads towards his first objective back at the scene of his greatest triumph and providing he comes through that assignment with flying colours, it’ll be straight on to Aintree off a nice low weight with as good a chance as any.
