The eyes of the world will be on Aintree at 5.15pm on Saturday when 40 horses go to post for the Grand National. Here is our horse-by-horse guide to the big race featuring all the runners.
Minella Times
Last year’s winner but will find it very tough to repeat that feat off a 15lb higher mark, carrying top weight of 11st10lbs. Nothing to show for 2 runs this term, having fallen & been pulled up.
Delta Work
Carrying a big weight is the major concern but otherwise, he has solid credentials having won the Cross Country at Cheltenham last month.
Schoolboy Hours
Won the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas but is now 9lbs higher & ran poorly at Cheltenham since. Has to prove he stays marathon trips & has a lot of weight.
Any Second Now
Unlucky last year when 3rd after being hampered but, whilst he remains in form, I think his mark is stiff looking & he’s a tad exposed. His best chance may have been 12 months ago.
Run Wild Fred
2nd behind Freewheelin Dylan in last year’s Irish National, he holds solid claims & looks like he’ll be suited by the trip although he slightly disappointed in the 3 mile 6 furlong NH Chase at Cheltenham.
Lostintranslation
Firmly on the downgrade now & this sort of test is unlikely to bring about any improvement.
Brahma Bull
Has run some good races around 3 miles but not sure this trip suits & he’s an 11 year old now so probably has limited improvement left in him.
Burrows Saint
Another whose best chance was probably 12 months ago when he finished 3rd. Finished 42 lengths behind Any Second Now last time out.
Mount Ida
Won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last year but doesn’t always convince with his jumping. That, coupled with relative inexperience over fences, probably means he is best passed over.
Longhouse Poet
Won the Thyestes & a repeat of that should see him in the shake up but he has a stiff looking mark & the ground will probably be too quick.
Fiddlerontheroof
Hasn’t yet won over 3 miles but is a good jumper & has shown good form beyond, not least when a close 2nd in the Ladbrokes Trophy. Could go well.
Two For Gold
Progressive type but did unseat in the Topham 12 months ago. Was second last time out to the high class Fakir D’Oudairies but not sure the National is his race.
Santini
Would be half the price if this race was run at Cheltenham. Overall, he’s unlikely to be good enough.
Samcro
Looked like he was going to be a star after his novice hurdle campaign but he’s never quite hit the heights that were expected of him.
Escaria Ten
Well fancied but inexperienced over fences and has run below par in 2 big handicaps over the last 12 months, finishing 8th in the Thyestes & pulled up in the Irish National.
Good Boy Bobby
Won the Rowland Meyrick & has been generally doing well over fences but doesn’t look to be crying out for this test of stamina.
Romain De Senam
Has only run once this year, being pulled up miles from home in the Midlands National. No chance based on that.
Coko Beach
Hasn’t had a great season but the main concern for me is his age. As a 7 year old, this is at least a year early for him.
De Rasher Counter
Has run only 4 times since winning the Ladbrokes Trophy in 2019 & whilst he ran respectably on his first start for over a year, it’s not a great prep so can be passed over.
Kildisart
Similar to De Rasher Counter, he’s only run once in almost 500 days & that’s the profile of a National winner.
Discorama
7th in this last year & has run ok in 2 starts this year but his chances would be enhanced if the rain came.
Top Ville Ben
Fell in the Becher, 3rd in the Rowland Meyrick & then 2 runs over hurdles but is another who would benefit from bottomless ground.
Enjoy D’Allen
Thrives in big fields, finishing 3rd in both the Irish National & the Paddy Power Chase & 5th in a 24 runner handicap hurdle last time out. Looks well handicapped & should go well if taking to the fences.
Anibale Fly
4th & 5th in this in 2018 & 2019 but now a 12 year old & his best days are beyond him.
Dingo Dollar
Not great over these fences in the Grand Sefton 18 months ago but a 2nd in last year’s Scottish National puts him firmly in the picture for this at a big price.
Freewheelin Dylan
Sprung a surprise when winning last year’s Irish National but form has been poor since & he has plenty to prove.
Class Conti
Miles behind in this last year & poor form this year. Looks to have no chance on all known form.
Noble Yeats
Sam Waley Cohen’s last ride as he retires immediately after but this one is unlucky to give him a fairytale win. His age, just 7 year old, is offputting.
Mighty Thunder
Form at 4+ miles last year reads 1-2-1 including the Scottish National but his form this season has been a big concern, pulled up on his last 2 starts.
Cloth Cap
Favourite for this last year but was pulled up as though something was wrong. Hasn’t really looked like the horse of old & sadly, I can’t see him adding the excellent record in the race for the late Trevor Hemmings.
Snow Leopardess
Won the Becher in December & is 3 from 3 this season. Is sure to be popular for this but might just need softer ground.
Agusta Gold
Pulled up twice in big field handicaps is concerning but looks the type that might enjoy these fences so not a forlorn hope at massive odds.
Commodore
Easily landed a handicap at Cheltenham in December but hasn’t had a prep race & that might be enough to limit his chances.
Deise Aba
He’s a bit all or nothing, pulled up or 1st/2nd in his last 8 starts. All his best form is at Sandown so is probably best left alone.
Blaklion
Now a 13 year old who has won 2 handicaps at Haydock this year but surely needs heavy ground to bring him into the reckoning.
Poker Party
Form of 00P this season sums up his chances, with that pulled up effort being his only try beyond 3 miles.
Death Duty
Was really well backed for the Ultima at Cheltenham but could only finish 6th. Ran ok in the Paddy Power & Thyestes but an unlikely winner here.
Domaine De L’Isle
4th in the Becher behind Snow Leopardess but a long way back in the Eider off this mark on his last start. Unlikely to figure.
Eclair Surf
Gets in at the foot of the weights & looks to have a massive chance here after proving his liking for better ground last time out when 2nd in the Eider. That run plus his run in the Classic Handicap at Warwick put him in with a great chance here.
Fortescue
3rd to Royale Pagaille in the Peter Marsh before edging out Fiddlerontheroof in the Swinley Chase. Could go well but I expect the runner up last time out to reverse the form.
RussP’s 1-2-3-4-5
1st Enjoy D’Allen
2nd Eclair Surf
3rd Run Wild Fred
4th Fiddlerontheroof
5th Dingo Dollar
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