With 40 runners lining up to try and win the Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, there are plenty in with a chance of victory.
Last year Minella Times helped Rachael Blackmore become the first female jockey to win the world's greatest steeplechase at Aintree. Henry De Bromhead's nine-year-old is back for more this time and is one of the leading candidates for glory, like many trained in Ireland.
READ MORE: Grand National 2022 final 40 runners and riders confirmed at Aintree
ECHO racing reporter Chris Wright has taken a early look at the 10 horses he thinks are most likely to come home in front. Here they are with a rating of their chance of victory out of five.
ANY SECOND NOW (Trainer: Ted Walsh, Expected jockey: Mark Walsh)
Ted Walsh’s 10-year-old ran a fine race to be third in last year’s Grand National just over eight lengths behind winner Minella Times. A good jumper and strong stayer, he showed he is still a leading player when narrowly winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse from fellow Aintree hopeful Escaria Ten in February. Looks to have all the attributes to go close again even if he is carrying more weight this year. Should be placed at least but could easily triumph.
Current odds: 9-1. Rating (out of five) 4
BURROWS SAINT (Willie Mullins, Paul Townend)
Willie Mullins’ nine-year-old ran a fine race to be fourth in last year’s Aintree marathon, despite appearing to run out of steam late on. Connections feel they have worked on that and being a year older and stronger can help him get the marathon 4m2½f trip better this time. Warmed up for his Aintree return to be third – a distant one – to Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase in February. Still open to more improvement and, similar to what Mullins’ 2005 winner Hedgehunter did, Burrows Saint could get much closer this time.
Current odds: 16-1. Rating (out of five) 4
READ MORE: Get a copy of the ECHO's Grand National Special
CLOTH CAP (Jonjo O'Neill, Tom Scudamore)
Sent off the warm favourite for last year’s race – but a respiratory issue meant after a promising start he was pulled up by Tom Scudamore. His wins in the Ladbrokes Trophy and at Kelso last year read very well and if he could recapture that form could provide a poignant winner in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings. Lots to prove, though, judged on his efforts this season. But did show some of his old sparkle when third in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster last time. Could go well on Aintree return.
Current odds: 20-1. Rating (out of five) 3
DISCORAMA (Paul Nolan, Bryan Cooper)
Has only won one of his 12 chase starts but has run some fine races in defeat. One in particular was his first try over the Aintree obstacles when seventh in last year’s Grand National. Made a couple of slight errors but on the whole it was a very good effort. Could do better this year having run a decent race when second to Full Time Score in a three-mile handicap chase at Fairyhouse in February. Can build on that and may run into place.
Current odds: 25-1. Rating (out of five) 3
ENJOY D’ALLEN (Ciaran Murphy, Conor Orr)
Ciaran Murphy’s eight-year-old was snapped up by powerful owner JP McManus following some good efforts in defeat. And he may be able to give the Irish owner a third victory in the National. Although he is yet to win in 10 chase starts, he rarely runs a bad race. He was third behind Freewheelin Dylan in the Irish National last year and a good third in Paddy Power Chase – a race last year’s winner Minella Times was also placed in – at Leopardstown over Christmas. Looks to hold a big chance.
Current odds: 11-1. Rating (out of five) 5
ESCARIA TEN (Gordon Elliott, Davy Russell)
Slightly inexperienced having only had seven chase starts, but looks just the young improving type who have been doing well in the National in recent years. Good third in the National Hunt Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, before being pulled up in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last April. Eighth in the Thyestes Chase before a fine effort when narrowly beaten by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase in February. Solid jumper, who should stay and despite his inexperience could run a big race.
Current odds: 11-1. Rating (out of five) 3
GOOD BOY BOBBY (Nigel Twiston-Davies, Daryl Jacob)
Has won four of his 12 chase starts, the best of which was a gutsy victory in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby over Christmas. Only seventh off top weight at Kempton last time. But doesn’t have to carry a big weight at Aintree. Yet to prove his stamina for this long distance, but looks capable of improving again for the step up in trip. Has a lot of the right credentials to run into a place at least.
Current odds: 25-1. Rating (out of five) 4
LONGHOUSE POET (Martin Brassill, Darragh O'Keeffe)
Another inexperienced horse from a Grand National-wining stable. But Martin Brassill’s eight-year-old could go well on his debut over the Aintree obstacles. Has won two of his six chase starts, most impressively when landing the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January. Seventh in the Boyne Hurdle last time looks a nice prep run ahead of Aintree. He has a similar profile to the stable’s Double Seven, who was a fine third in 2014. The trainer knows what it takes to go well at Aintree and the few runners he’s had have performed superbly. Longhouse Poet could easily do the same.
Current odds: 16-1. Rating (out of five) 3
MINELLA TIMES (Henry De Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore)
Helped Rachael Blackmore create history in last year’s Randox Grand National as she became the first female jockey to win the Aintree showpiece. Showed a real liking for the Aintree challenge, jumping and travelling well throughout before staying on strongly despite never having tackled that sort of extreme trip before. Winning a National does leave a mark on some horses, though and the nine-year-old hasn’t been in the same form since, falling and being pulled up on his two starts this season at Punchestown and Leopardstown respectively. Also up in the weights, but took to the fences so well that return to Aintree could spark a revival. Only Red Rum and Tiger Roll have won back-to-back Nationals in the past 80-odd years, so he has a tough task. But could still go close although unlikely to win again.
Current odds: 12-1. Rating (out of five) 3
SNOW LEOPARDESS (Charlie Longsdon, Aidan Coleman)
Wonderful story attached to Snow Leopardess as she came back from becoming a mother to shine on the track. The 10-year-old had shown some good form without winning at last year’s spring Festivals, but has stepped up on those efforts this season when landing a three-mile handicap chase – the form of which has worked out well with several behind winning afterwards – on her seasonal return at Bangor. Was even better on her first try over the big Aintree obstacles, jumping superbly before just holding on to score from Hill Sixteen in the Becher Chase in December. Won again – comfortably this time – in her prep race at Exeter in February and heads back to Aintree with a live chance of more success. Jumps well, should stay and is possibly the best British hope.
Current odds: 8-1. Rating (out of five) 4
For information regarding tickets for the Randox Grand National Festival visit thejockeyclub.co.uk/Aintree.
