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A full field of 40 looks likely for Saturday’s Randox Grand National after 50 horses stood their ground at the five-day confirmation stage on Monday. At one stage it was feared there would not be a maximum field although with the reserve system dropped this year, that could still be the case should something drop out after Thursday’s final 48 hour declaration stage.
The principal defections were, apart from The Shunter, all expected with Royal Pagaille, a faller in the Irish National, Envoi Allen (heading to Punchestown) Gin On Lime (Topham Trophy), Battleoverdoyen, Quick Wave and Captain Kangaroo were all taken out of the race along with The Shunter.
It means Our Power, a well fancied 20-1 shot bidding to become the first Welsh trained winner since Kirkland in 1905, Dunboyne, fourth in the Kim Muir, Francky du Berlais, another Welsh trained runner, soft ground specialist Fortescue and Back On The Lash are all guaranteed a run.
Gordon Elliott ran several horses left in the National around the cut off point in the Irish National including the second Gevrey and third Defi Bleu, Punitive and Milan Native. He pulled Fakeira out so he could, in theory, get in the National although another Irish horse, Born By The Sea, would get in as the 40th runner ahead of him as it stands.
1
Any Second Now
Trainer
Ted Walsh
Jockey
tbc
Course specialist who has already finished third behind Minella Times and second behind Noble Yeats. If he keeps up that sequence then we might be looking at the winner. Not getting any younger but ran a good race in the Irish Gold Cup and had a confidence boosting win over two and a half miles in the heavy at Navan recently. Top-weight means he is probably destined to be no better than one of Aintree’s great near-misses.
Weight: 11st12lb
BHA Rating: 167
2
Noble Yeats
Trainer
Emmet Mullins
Jockey
tbc
Last year’s memorable winner for Sam Waley-Cohen on his last ride and has not stopped improving this season, so much so that he finished strongly to take fourth in the Gold Cup. In the old days you would have said the horse least likely to win the National was the previous year’s winner but Tiger Roll proved that it may be possible over the modern Aintree track. Carrying a lot more weight this time.
Weight: 11st11lb
BHA Rating: 166
3
Galvin
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
Owned by Mr Spud himself, Ronnie Bartlett, he was a good runner-up (to stable companion Delta Work) in the Cross Country at Cheltenham, a well-trodden path for Gordon Elliott’s previous National winners. Fourth in last year’s Gold Cup and winner of a Grade One chase, class act on his day. Not been quite the force of old this season but showed plenty of spark in the cross country and, on better ground, could reverse form with Delta Work.
Weight: 11st11lb
BHA Rating: 166
4
Fury Road
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
A good novice last season, he gave red-hot Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs something to think about leading to him to last in the Irish Gold Cup and sixth in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham behind Envoi Allen. Has a habit of finding horses to beat him over three miles so distance might be an issue. Another of Elliott’s endless entries in the race.
Weight: 11st6lb
BHA Rating: 161
5
The Big Dog
Trainer
Peter Fahey
Jockey
tbc
Welsh National third at Christmas and was running a blinder when falling in the Irish Gold Cup when in front three out. Took a heavy tumble which is probably not the best preparation for Aintree, he might need a little confidence booster first. ‘Dog’ is usually a derogatory term when applied to a horse but clearly not when applied to this fella.
Weight: 11st5lb
BHA Rating: 160
6
Capodanno
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
tbc
There seems to be some agreement among the Mullins team that he is the pick of their horses. Similar-ish profile to last year’s winner Noble Yeats, though not a novice. Wound up last season winning Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. Late starting this season due to injury, we haven’t seen much of him lately and might be a tall order on the back of just one run. That said it’s Mullins.
Weight: 11st5lb
BHA Rating: 160
7
Delta Work
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
The pantomime villain at Cheltenham last year when he beat Tiger Roll in the Cross Country at Cheltenham on the two-time National winner’s swansong. Repeated the victory this year. Has taken to mixed obstacles like a duck to water or, even, a delta. Well-beaten third in last year’s National carrying 10st 10lbs. Was that his winning chance? Wetter the better.
Weight: 11st4lb
BHA Rating: 159
8
Sam Brown
Trainer
Anthony Honeyball
Jockey
tbc
By Black Sam Bellamy out of Cream Cracker – if you mix black and cream you get Brown and Sam Browne (the correct spelling was not available), the military belt which goes over the right shoulder, will remind his owner-breeder of his time in the army. Won a good handicap chase very impressively round Aintree’s Mildmay course last year and it’s amazing how many horses who perform well on that course also like the National fences, despite it being very different. Maybe they just like Liverpool? Ran well first time out but a bit disappointing in between, however, had a nice warm up for this over hurdles at Uttoxeter recently. Dropped 3lbs since weights came out. Trainer’s horses were out of form mid-winter so may be better than recent form suggests.
Weight: 11st4lb
BHA Rating: 159
9
Lifetime Ambition
Trainer
Jessica Harrington
Jockey
tbc
Well named – everyone wants to win a National. Was being talked about as a National horse a year ago and took to the fences well in the Grand Sefton in the autumn. Finished close enough over too short a trip to Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs to give him a shout here. Had a spin round Navan in a hurdle recently. Jessica Harrington has won ‘em all – except the National. Victory would cap a great career and be a great tonic – she is currently being treated for breast cancer.
Weight: 11st3lb
BHA Rating: 158
10
Carefully Selected
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
tbc
Lightly raced for his age having had more time off than an office cleaner during Covid. An old-fashioned type, once second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, with the physique of a ‘dinosaur’. Weight carrying not a problem and his win in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran recently could see him the most-fancied of the Mullins gang, though it looked hard work for him in the Bobbyjo.
Weight: 11st1lb
BHA Rating: 156
11
Coko Beach
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
A grey yoke who wears all the headgear. Looks a bit lazy and hard work for a jockey, but suited to a big field to keep him interested. Comfortable winner of the Punchestown National Trial, his first win for two years. Eighth in last year’s race but beaten 66 lengths having cut out a lot of the running early doors. Tried googling Coko Beach the place – it doesn’t exist.
Weight: 11st
BHA Rating: 155
12
Longhouse Poet
Trainer
Martin Brassil
Jockey
tbc
Trainer won this race with Numbersixvalverde in 2006. Finished a good sixth in the race last year, when stamina appeared to be an issue, but has been protected from the handicapper this time by being campaigned over hurdles. He won one of them but didn’t see which way Teahupoo went and left his hindlegs in the first back over fences at Fairyhouse. Had a confidence-restoring win at Down Royal as a warm up. Job to tell what sort of form he is in, but don’t underestimate the trainer.
Weight: 11st
BHA Rating: 155
13
Gaillard Du Mesnil
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
tbc
Got a big shout from Willie Mullins at the National weights lunch. ‘Tailor-made’ he said. A second season novice but one with Grade One form. He finished third in last year’s Irish National and a similar position behind L’Homme Presse at Cheltenham before winning the National Hunt Chase under Patrick Mullins. Stayed like the proverbial mother-in-law there and would be doing best work at finish but had a hard race for a youngster.
Weight: 11st
BHA Rating: 155
14
Darasso
Trainer
Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Jockey
tbc
If it were a two-mile hurdle…he got within seven lengths of Honeysuckle at Punchestown last April. Late comer to fences, he is still a novice, although that is no barrier these days. Profile a bit similar to last year’s winner in that he has been running over less than three miles but a good third in the Kerry National qualifies him for this. The O’Brien family have won just about everything except a National.
Weight: 10st13lb
BHA Rating: 154
15
Le Milos
Trainer
Dan Skelton
Jockey
tbc
Won the Coral Gold Cup, a race which the whole of racing still refers to as the old ‘Hennessy’ and was unbeaten in two starts since joining Dan Skelton in the autumn until he went to Kelso recently when he needed the race badly. That should have put him spot on for Aintree. Always looked a promising staying chaser when with his previous trainer but has come on a stride this season. Likes a bit of cut, is a proven tough customer and we are getting into the realms of a very carriable weight once we drop under 11st.
Weight: 10st11lb
BHA Rating: 152
16
Escaria Ten
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
Was ninth in the race last year beaten by 75 lengths. He was going well to the second last so the inference has to be that any jockey would start getting range anxiety after about four miles. Not a regular winner but, to be fair, not that many miles on the clock either. Pulled up some way out at Cheltenham – there must be better options among the trainer’s seven likely runners.
Weight: 10st10lb
BHA Rating: 151
17
The Big Breakaway
Trainer
Joe Tizzard
Jockey
tbc
Hampered by sore shins last season, he ran a terrific trial for this finishing third off top weight in the Welsh National. Another pulled up in the Ultima. Should enjoy the tempo of the race, first runner for his trainer, one of Britain’s better (and few) chances of keeping the race at home if you can ignore his last start.
Weight: 10st10lb
BHA Rating: 151
18
Cape Gentleman
Trainer
John Joseph Hanlon
Jockey
tbc
A victory for the seven-year-old really would be history repeating itself. The owner’s great grandfather was Stephen Stanford who owned 1923 winner Sergeant Murphy, a stalwart of the race who was 13 when he won it and ran in it more times than AP McCoy had hot dinners. Most successful of the entries on the Flat having won the Irish Cesarewitch and run at Royal Ascot. This is a different kettle of fish.
Weight: 10st8lb
BHA Rating: 149
19
Roi Mage
Trainer
Patrick Griffin
Jockey
tbc
Fell in the Cross Country at Cheltenham in December but was not going too badly at the time and jumping Aintree should not be a problem – he’s been knocking about French steeplechases and a Heinz 57 variety of obstacles for long enough before winding up in Ireland. Good second to Longhouse Poet last time. Probably not too fussed by the ground but proven handler of heavy if Aintree’s watering system runs out of control. Most experienced runner in the field with 51 starts.
Weight: 10st8lb
BHA Rating: 149
20
Diol Ker
Trainer
Noel Meade
Jockey
tbc
Not a serial winner by any stretch of the imagination but a strong staying type who will finish well if he gets that’s far. A Leinster National (only three miles I’m afraid) winner a year ago, best form was 40-1 second in a big handicap at Leopardstown at Christmas. Disappointing in National Trial behind Coko Beach last time. If he tidies up his jumping, a repeat of best form would make him an interesting long shot not without a sniff.
Weight: 10st8lb
BHA Rating: 149
21
A Wave Of The Sea
Trainer
Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Jockey
tbc
Quite a few miles on the clock for a horse of his age and enough Fs in his form to think that he is not the greatest jumper of all time, even though that seems to matter less these days. Probably one to avoid – particularly if you are a jockey riding something else in the race. Pulled up in Grand Annual, not one of Cheltenham’s traditional National trials so stamina could be an issue. Of the Waves, the Quick one looks the better of the two.
Weight: 10st6lb
BHA Rating: 147
22
Minella Trump
Trainer
Donald McCain
Jockey
tbc
There are two places where the name McCain is royalty – in the freezer section of my local supermarket and Aintree through the legendary Red Rum, Amberleigh House and Ballabriggs. It is exactly 50 years since Red Rum nailed Crisp in the final yards to win his first National. Essentially a summer jumper (but better than that) Minella Trump has won nine of his past 11 starts, six of them at Perth where he is unbeaten. Warmed up for this at Bangor on horrible ground. Wants proper good ground. Has to be respected coming from where he does.
Weight: 10st6lb
BHA Rating: 147
23
Vanillier
Trainer
Gavin Cromwell
Jockey
tbc
This grey dotted up in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham as a novice hurdler suggesting stamina is his strong suit. Has not reached same heights over fences but was placed in the National Hunt Chase last year over three miles six. Campaigned mainly over shorter distances since in top-class company. Let loose over a proper trip in the Bobbyjo he ran on strongly at the finish just failing to catch Kemboy. Trainer very shrewd and the method in that madness may pay dividends off a winnable weight here. Looks set up for the job and can already see the grey being one of the long range gambles of the race. Get on now.
Weight: 10st6lb
BHA Rating: 147
24
Velvet Elvis
Trainer
T Gibney
Jockey
tbc
Eight, nine or 10 are the most common ages for a National winner. A relative youngster, Noble Yeats a year ago was the last seven-year-old to win it since Bogskar in 1940 but, to be fair, not many try it. Until winning an ordinary three-mile chase at Fairyhouse in February two pulled ups and beaten 57 lengths by The Big Dog offered minimal hope. The trainer said return to form was aided by a small field, if so a field of 40 might not be a happy place for him. This Elvis doesn’t look one for the money.
Weight: 10st6lb
BHA Rating: 147
25
Ain’t That A Shame
Trainer
Henry de Bromhead
Jockey
tbc
Trainer saddled first and second in 2021 and the runner-up then, Balko Des Flos, went into the race with a lot worse form than this horse. Consistent chaser, ran a very good race in a handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas. Won last time out over two and a half. Rachael Blackmore has the pick of several from the Waterford yard and this might be the best of them at the right end of the handicap.
Weight: 10st5lb
BHA Rating: 146
26
Corach Rambler
Trainer
Lucinda Russell
Jockey
tbc
Trainer gave the Scots their second ever winner with the recently departed One For Arthur in 2017 so knows what it is all about and I am not sure this isn’t a better horse. He has won at the Cheltenham Festival the past two years so has a touch of class but that is not all he has going for him; he’s a good age, stays, goes on any ground, jumps, perfect weight and is racing’s youth policy; one of his owners is a 21-year-old at Edinburgh University. There are a lot worse ways to spend your student grant. Jockey knows him well but would probably not want to hit the front too soon; did a passable impression of giraffe looking over a 25ft wall half way up the run-in at Cheltenham. Not many Brits but he’s the pick of them.
Weight: 10st5lb
BHA Rating: 146
27
Enjoy D’allen
Trainer
Ciaran Murphy
Jockey
tbc
Only got as far as the first last year when stumbled and unseated rider. At 20-1 he was quite fancied then but he has not done anything since to suggest he is in better form or has a greater chance now. Placed in an Irish National but his last win is fading into the distance in the rear view mirror – it’s over two years ago. His owner has had a lot of shots at the race and has had countless seconds but still only the one winner, Don’t Push It.
Weight: 10st5lb
BHA Rating: 146
28
Mr Incredible
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
tbc
We have to take it on trust that he is named after Bob Parr aka Mr Incredible the title character in the Disney/Pixar film The Incredibles, a man in possession of superhuman strength, durability and, key to the National, stamina. Joined Mullins from Henry de Bromhead in the autumn. Lightly raced, relative babe aged seven, stays, ran a good third in the Kim Muir and might have won but for fluffing the last. May also possess a few traits of his talented but quirky sire Westerner, he once planted himself at the start and refused to race so this could go either way. Hold your bets until he has arrived at the start, if he is going well after a circuit could be interesting.
Weight: 10st4lb
BHA Rating: 145
29
Mister Coffey
Trainer
Nicky Henderson
Jockey
tbc
Second-season novice who has been a bit unlucky not to win one yet. The only disappointing race he has run was when favourite for last year’s Topham Trophy over the fences. Placed in the National Hunt Chase last start, he has 15 lengths to find with Gaillard du Mesnil. Owned by the Bamford as in the upmarket farm shop, he’ll be the talk of Daylesford if he wins but having failed to perform over the fences once leaves a bit of a question mark, while the trainer has struggled to get one beyond the first for a while
Weight: 10st4lb
BHA Rating: 145
30
Cloudy Glen
Trainer
Venetia Williams
Jockey
tbc
Travelled eye-catchingly well in Haydock’s Grand National trial after a very long lay-off to finish third. A Hennessy (it was called the Ladbrokes Trophy then, but you know the race I mean) winner too. A suggestion he goes well fresh which might have been proved when pulled up at Cheltenham. Trainer won it with 100–1 shot Mon Mome and his late owner won it three times with Hedgehunter, Ballabriggs and Many Clouds. Same sire as the last one.
Weight: 10st4lb
BHA Rating: 145
31
Hill Sixteen
Trainer
Sandy Thomson
Jockey
tbc
Another Braveheart from north o’er the border. He has jumped round Aintree twice in the Becher Chase, in 2021 beaten by a nose. Not quite sure what I make of him. Close enough to Sounds Russian earlier in the season to give him a squeak but it’ll be getting on for two and a half years since he’s won.
Weight: 10st2lb
BHA Rating: 143
32
Gabbys Cross
Trainer
Henry de Bromhead
Jockey
tbc
Not huge amounts to recommend him on since winning at Galway in the summer, although he ran well in a big handicap at Leopardstown at Christmas. Most of his siblings have been best at about two and a half miles so there must be a question mark about his stamina for this marathon. Third at Naas on last start.
Weight: 10st2lb
BHA Rating: 143
33
Recite A Prayer
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
tbc
A prayer has been answered as he did not look like he would make the cut for the race but more time in church required now. Never got involved in the Becher Chase last autumn. Third in the Cork Grand National, that’s not giving me the vibe I’m afraid. Mullins must have better chances than this one.
Weight: 10st1lb
BHA Rating: 142
34
Eva’s Oskar
Trainer
Tim Vaughan
Jockey
tbc
We have a few from Scotland, this one is from Wales. Carried top weight to fourth in the Eider Chase over four miles on his last start so distance should not be a major problem. He was either making the running or up with it all the way and, if he makes the cut, he will likely race in the vanguard. If you get him in a sweepstake he should get a few mentions but that is probably all.
Weight: 10st1lb
BHA Rating: 142
35
Our Power
Trainer
Sam Thomas
Jockey
tbc
Unbeaten in two starts this season he is a horse still going places. Won his last race after the entries came out so he is 6lbs well in. Laid-back individual, could have a lot more to give. His owner and trainer were involved in a serious helicopter crash in the autumn. Surviving that was a miracle, winning a National with this horse less so. Big chance.
Weight: 10st
BHA Rating: 141
36
Dunboyne
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
Not a world-beater by any stretch of the imagination but he’s going the right way and improving slowly. However, that said, the nearest he will probably come to winning a National is being by the same sire, Yeats, as last year’s winner. Fourth in the Kim Muir when he made it hard work for his jockey by dropping himself out, he has refused to race once before. Sort of horse that might have been inspired by the old fences, safe but probably too slow for a modern National.
Weight: 10st
BHA Rating: 141
37
Francky Du Berlais
Trainer
Peter Bowen
Jockey
tbc
West Wales contender who has won two Summer Plates at Market Rasen. Has been round Aintree fences three times without really distinguishing himself. Safe but not sure about two circuits, stamina looks limited and another crack at the Topham, which his trainer seems to win every year, might be more up his street. A Roddy Owen (owner) has already won the National – he was the winning rider on Father O’Flynn in 1882.
Weight: 10st
BHA Rating: 141
38
Fortescue
Trainer
Henry Daly
Jockey
tbc
A thorough stayer. I tipped this horse a year ago but he found the ground too quick, never really got involved and I was regretting by the time they jumped the third. Finished fourth in the Becher Chase which was better but was only beginning to get going late on. If he gets in his only chance will be a wet April.
Weight: 9st13lb
BHA Rating: 140
39
Back On The Lash
Trainer
Martin Keighley
Jockey
tbc
Cross-country specialist which is, essentially, what Tiger Roll was so fences would hold no fears. Twice a winner over that mixed bag of obstacles at Cheltenham, that is his true love. Stays all day and wouldn’t finish last but another struggling to get into the race at this lowly end of the handicap. Wants decent ground.
Weight: 9st13lb
BHA Rating: 140
40
Defi Bleu
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
Middle-of-the-road staying chaser who was third in the National Trial at Punchestown in February and second in the Cork National in November. Seems to need an extreme distance to bring out the best in him. Struggling to make the cut in all probability.
Weight: 9st12lb
BHA Rating: 139
41
Gevrey
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
A hold-up horse who usually races around two and a half miles. Fourth in the Plate at Cheltenham at 125-1 Another highly unlikely to make the cut and distance a problem if he does.
Weight: 9st10lb
BHA Rating: 137
42
Punitive
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
Out-and-out galloper who won a three-mile, five-furlong chase in November. Needs testing conditions. Probably not the worst of Elliott’s entries but needs a few to drop out and then a wet spring.
Weight: 9st10lb
BHA Rating: 137
43
Milan Native
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
Hasn’t won for two and a half years. Pulled up in the 2021 Grand National. Got as many letters as numbers in his most-recent form. No earthly chance even if he gets in.
Weight: 9st10lb
BHA Rating: 137
44
Born By The Sea
Trainer
Paul John Gilligan
Jockey
tbc
Irish summer jumper who is not guaranteed to get the trip – either to the race or in it.
Weight: 9st10lb
BHA Rating: 137
45
Fakiera
Trainer
Gordon Elliott Ireland
Jockey
tbc
Yet to win a chase in nine starts not that stopped Rule The World. Pedigree boasts a Grand Steeple de Paris winner but don’t think this is going to get a chance to add to the family honours.
Weight: 9st8lb
BHA Rating: 135
46
Darrens Hope
Trainer
Robert Murphy
Jockey
tbc
Winner of two of his 18 starts over fences, homebred mare’s form has tailed off a bit having pulled up twice and finished last on her past three starts. No hope of getting in.
Weight: 9st8lb
BHA Rating: 135
47
Mortal
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
tbc
Getting a bit long in the tooth, best recent efforts in the Cross Country at Cheltenham where he outran his long odds. Unlikely to get a chance at immortality.
Weight: 9st8lb
BHA Rating: 135
48
Captain Cattistock
Trainer
Fergal O’Brien
Jockey
tbc
Former hunter chaser who has won and been second in an Edinburgh National. That’s something I suppose, but won’t get in.
Weight: 9st5lb
BHA Rating: 132
49
Secret Reprieve
Trainer
Evan Williams
Jockey
tbc
Way out of the handicap but, actually, a Welsh National winner in the past. Peaked then, missed the cut, just, in that year’s National and probably hasn’t quite fulfilled early potential. Pulled up four out in Midlands National. Won’t get in again.
Weight: 9st5lb
BHA Rating: 132
50
Fantastikas
Trainer
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey
tbc
Won a valuable novice chase in a bog 14 months ago but did not set the world on fire in the Becher Chase, pulled up in Welsh National and beat one in the Ultima. Won’t get in.
Weight: 9st5lb
BHA Rating: 132
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