I am not going to pretend I am the biggest fan of the Grand National from a punting perspective – the longest race on the calendar, different fences, big fields, the end of a long hard season for many and a handicap to boot – oh and the one race when friends who don’t talk horses to me all year think I can simply give them the winner!
It is not the race of old as a spectacle with the fences made easier and far better horses competing (keeping out those who with hindsight should perhaps never have been allowed to run in the first place), much to the chagrin of some of the older generation, but even I have to move with the times (are flares back in yet?) now and then, and it is theoretically far safer for the horses now, though I don’t want to tempt fate.
With more horses getting round we can still see exciting finishes with Nick Rockett taking it last year by two and a half lengths (not much after over four miles), so I have no worries on that score and just hope and pray they all come home sound at the end of the race.
Looking at the field this year and it’s a tricky one, though there has been plenty of money for Dan Skelton’s Panic Attack, third when last seen in the Liberthine Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, though that was over two and a half miles and this is a very different kettle of fish. That said, she has won over three and a quarter miles so stamina may not be the issue, and she gets a lot of weight from the likes of 2024 winner I Am Maximus who has to give her 21lbs. I do think she can go well for the next Champion trainer with Harry Skelton in the saddle and at 8/1 she does look the better bet of the two.
Leading owner J P McManus seems even keener than normal to take it again this season with six runners including the favourite as I write, but I wonder if the betting has them in the correct order? Jagwar is interesting in first-time cheekpieces for one, but the two I really like the look of as each way options at bigger prices are AJ and Jonjo O’Neill’s Johnnywho, a winner over three miles and a furlong in the Ultima at Cheltenham on his first start since wind-surgery (though he has it to do with Jagwar who was second that day at the revised weights), and 25/1 shot Perceval Legallois. Trained by Gavin Cromwell, I am surprised he is as big as he is with Harry Cobden (who will be retained by JP next season) in the saddle, and you have to wonder if he has any kind of a choice? Lightly raced over fences with just the 12 starts for two wins at Leopardstown, I am no conspiracy theorist but this looks like a plot in the making to me, and it will be interesting to see if he sees any market support between now and race time.
Suggestions:
Perceval Legallois each way 4.00pm Aintree
24 Tricasts (first three home in any order) to pennies for a fun bet, no more
Panic Attack
Perceval Legallois
Jagwar
Johnnywho
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Get in there some great wins of the past few weeks