Tiger Roll tops high class Grand National entry
Tiger Roll dominates the build-up as a winning tip for the Grand National as he seeks an unprecedented third successive victory in the great race. He has been allotted top weight of 11st 10lbs this year, 5lbs more than he carried in 2019 but up 11lbs in the official ratings. Not surprisingly, the bookmakers are giving little away with a general 5-1 on offer about Gordon Elliott’s popular gelding.
Henderson seeks elusive Grand National victory
The Grand National is one race to elude trainer Nicky Henderson in his glittering career. It is now 41 years since he trained Zongalero to finish runner-up behind Rubstic. Henderson has another three darts to throw at the board this year in Beware The Bear, OK Corral and Valtor.
Beware The Bear is not an easy ride but has been more amenable since the application of blinkers. He was coaxed to victory at last year’s Cheltenham Festival by Jeremiah McGrath and is being aimed at Aintree this season. Valtor completed the course in his own time last year and could return off a 10lbs lower mark but OK Corral looks the pick of the trio.
The ten-year-old started the season as a possible Gold Cup contender but a couple of disappointing efforts saw his rating dip to 146. He exploited that mark to win the valuable Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January and has a good racing weight (10st 9lbs) despite being raised to 155. Stamina could be a concern as he can take a strong hold and was pulled up when attempting four miles at Cheltenham last year.
Mullins assembles strong National team
Willie Mullins won the National with Hedgehunter in 2005 and came within a nostril of a second success with Pleasant Company in 2018. The latter was running another fine race when unseating Paul Townend four out last season and is expected to return for a final time in April. His chance may have gone at the age of 12 but Mullins also has several other live chances.
The obvious one is Burrows Saint who won the Irish National last year and has enjoyed a smooth preparation. He was placed in a Grade 1 novice chase before winning a Punchestown hurdle at the end of the year. He is up 12lbs since winning at Fairyhouse but has very few miles on the clock and will be receiving a stone from Tiger Roll.
Ted Walsh has also enjoyed success in the Grand National with Papillon (2000) and plenty of shrewd judges are tipping Any Second Now this year. He won the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival but fell at the eighth fence in the Irish National next time. The eight-year-old signalled a return to form when third in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown in February over a trip short of his best.
Magic Of Light bids to go one better
It often pays to side with a horse that has already shown a liking for the Aintree fences. There will be several runners from last year having another crack at Tiger Roll including runner-up Magic Of Light. She belied her odds of 66-1 last year and may even have finished closer but for a mistake the last fence. Her preparation took a knock when virtually pulled up in heavy ground at Navan but she reportedly hated the heavy ground.
Walk In The Mill finished 16 lengths back in fourth last year and won a second Becher Chase at Aintree in December. He was kept ticking over by a spin over hurdles at the end of January and races off an identical mark this time.
Ballyoptic and Ramses De Teillee both failed to finish 12 months’ ago but showed enough to warrant a return visit. Ballyoptic ran well for a long way before crashing out at the fourth last and was a good winner at Ascot recently. Ramses De Teillee was pulled up when his rein snapped but may have been feeling the effects of some hard races, notably when runner-up in the Welsh Grand National. The grey has been enjoying himself over hurdles this winter and sneaks in with only 10st 5lbs.
This season’s Welsh National was won by Potters Corner and connections will be hoping for testing conditions at Aintree. Kimberlite Candy emerged as a serious contender when winning the Warwick Classic Chase in January. Native River would add a touch of class to the race but is reportedly on target for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 2020 Grand National takes place on Saturday 4th April and will be televised live on ITV.
