Bill Baxter shines over the National fences to put Greatrex on top again

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Bill Baxter got Warren Greatrex back into the big-race winner’s enclosure with a determined victory over the Grand National fences in the Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Chase at Aintree.

While run over a distance some way short of the big one, the Topham traditionally gives jockeys a chance to get their eye in on the eve of the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Greatrex is no stranger to major success as the trainer of World Hurdle hero Cole Harden and multiple Grade One-winning mare La Bague Au Roi, but by his standards it has been a while between drinks for the Lambourn-based trainer, with his last graded-race success coming over three years ago.

Bill Baxter, the mount of Sam Twiston-Davies, was sent off at 20-1 after winning his last three completed starts over fences, with a January fall at Hereford sandwiched in between.

From the final fence it was a straight shootout between Greatrex’s grey and the Nicky Henderson-trained Fantastic Lady and it was Bill Baxter who finished best to prevail by a length and three-quarters.

Greatrex said: “This was the horse that was going to put our team on the map and I ride him every day.

“We had a plan a while back then he fell at Hereford, but I said if the rain came he had a great chance and thankfully it did.

“He gallops and jumps and we got Sam, who is always up for anything. Once over the first I knew the horse would adapt to the fences, and I knew turning in he would win.

“When you hit a low like we did it’s tough, but I have a great team and some nice young horses.”

Fennor Cross had earlier lifted the William Hill Handicap Hurdle for Irish trainer John McConnell and 5lb claimer Ben Harvey.

Ben Harvey celebrates winning the William Hill Handicap Hurdle on Fennor Cross
Ben Harvey celebrates winning the William Hill Handicap Hurdle on Fennor Cross (Peter Byrne/PA)

McConnell and Harvey teamed up for Cheltenham Festival success last month with Seddon and hopes were high that Fennor Cross could also get the trainer off the mark at Aintree.

An 8-1 shot after finishing down the field in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on his latest start, the six-year-old was a commanding two-length winner on his return to handicap company, after which McConnell said: “It’s easy this game isn’t it!

“Cheltenham was a mess for this horse. We’d hoped to run him at Musselburgh, but he had a little issue which meant he didn’t get his fourth run in to qualify for the handicaps and the only race he was in was the Supreme. He wouldn’t have run a bad race in that but made a mess of the third-last and his race was over.

“We always felt going up in trip would suit him and it went really well. Ben gave him a beautiful ride.

“He handles most ground and has turned into a proper horse. I don’t know what the plan is because I think there’s unfinished business on the Flat as well.”

Pic D’Orhy graduates to Grade One glory at Aintree

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Pic D’Orhy provided champion trainer Paul Nicholls with his first winner of this year’s Grand National meeting at Aintree as he posted an assured display in the Marsh Chase.

Twice a winner at Grade Two level earlier in the season, the eight-year-old was last seen chasing home Thursday’s Aintree Bowl hero Shishkin in the Ascot Chase in February.

Nicholls deliberately sidestepped last month’s Cheltenham Festival to keep his charge fresh for Aintree and was handsomely rewarded as Pic D’Orhy secured his first Grade One success.

Always moving powerfully behind the pacesetting Minella Drama, Harry Cobden’s mount moved to the front between the final two obstacles and soon put clear daylight between himself and his rivals.

Fakir D’oudairies, bidding for a record third victory in the two-and-a-half-mile contest, briefly threatened to throw down a serious challenge approaching the last fence, but Pic D’Orhy showed no signs of stopping and was ultimately good value for the winning margin of four and a quarter lengths.

Nicholls was unable to run Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame as planned on Thursday due to an ownership issue and having seen the likes of Stage Star disappoint, the handler thinks some horses that ran at Cheltenham might have been feeling a swift return.

However, Pic D’Orhy’s plan was long mapped out.

Nicholls said: “What has happened with Bravemansgame might be a blessing in disguise. He had a hard race at Cheltenham so who knows, he’ll be back next year.

“This week has been quite hard, a few have disappointed, a few have run well but what we like is winning these Grade Ones with horses who have been aimed at them.

“He was trained for this race and it makes a big difference when you target them here. When you aim for Cheltenham, it is hard to get them back in that form again.

“I just thought he’d be better on the flatter track here. I’m not saying he’ll never go to Cheltenham another day, but this was the race we wanted to win ever since he won the Peterborough Chase. We set out to go to the Silviniaco Conti Chase, Ascot and then this. This track suits him really well.

“He’ll certainly get an entry for the King George.”

Cobden believes Pic D’Orhy’s improved jumping has been crucial to success.

He said: “I had a lovely run round. He galloped into the first but after that he jumped brilliantly and travelled well.

“We didn’t get racing too early and after the second-last I asked him to go and win his race. I was going to the last on a really long stride, I don’t normally ask for that off him so I gave him a flick to remind him and it worked.

“He’s become a very good jumper but he didn’t use to be, I got three really bad falls off him but he’s learned.

“He has a low head carriage and eyes them up well.”

Pic D’Orhy was too good for Fakir D'oudairies
Pic D’Orhy was too good for Fakir D’oudairies (Tim Goode/PA)

Joseph O’Brien thought the race was not really run to suit Fakir D’oudairies, with a step up in trip on the cards.

He said: “I think he would have liked a stronger end-to-end gallop but he came home very well and I’m delighted with him.

“It’s always frustrating when you don’t win, but maybe he’s ready to go a bit further now.”

Retirement may be looming, but Russell all set to go for National gold with Galvin

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Davy Russell will look for the fairytale ending to his surprise comeback when he partners Galvin in the Randox Grand National on Saturday.

Coming out of a three-week retirement from the saddle, the Cheltenham Festival did not produce the storybook return that he had hoped.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest jump jockeys of the modern era, the three-time Irish champion initially announced his retirement after winning on Liberty Dance at Thurles on December 18. But he was back in action for Gordon Elliott at Fairyhouse on January 14 after luckless Jack Kennedy broke his leg for a fifth time.

However, the 43-year-old hurt his back in the run-up to the meeting and left Prestbury Park sore and dejected, standing himself down before the Gold Cup, in which he was due to ride Conflated.

The subplot also proved hurtful, with Conflated’s owner, Gigginstown House Stud boss and Ryanair owner Michael O’Leary declaring he should not have come out of retirement, prompting Russell to retort that he had “about as much respect for Michael O’Leary’s opinion as he has for mine”.

Yet Russell returned this week to answer the call for Elliott and his luck turned on Friday when Gerri Colombe gave him a dream Grade One ride with a facile success in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

Having twice landed the Grand National with Tiger Roll, he admits he may not prolong his comeback much further than the weekend, where he rides the classy nine-year-old for the Summerhill handler.

Owned by Ronnie Bartlett, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase runner-up will shoulder a mighty 11st 11lb in the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon, which gives his jockey cause for concern, even if tactics will be left to the last minute.

“Galvin is in great form and Gordon’s very pleased with him,” said Russell. “The horse has a great brain, but it’s a huge task with the weight.

“But it’s also good for Ronnie and my goal will be to get him round safe and sound. He’s very talented, but I won’t even think of a tactical plan until we’ve left the parade ring.

“I’ve put zero thought into that, I have no plans and will line up and ride it as I feel it.”

Though Russell would love to go out on a high, he knows his time in the saddle is limited and while keen to remain a big cog in the Elliott operation, he wishes to spend more time with his young family.

Davy Russell scored Grade One success with Gerri Colombe on Friday
Davy Russell scored Grade One success with Gerri Colombe on Friday (Mike Egerton/PA)

He added: “Over the last five years I’ve really enjoyed my riding, but before Tiger Roll came along I was riding out six or even seven days a week, wasting at the same time and it was getting to me.

“Now I’m in a privileged position and having a ball. I’m playing it along as I go, and my retirement could happen at any time.”

Inthepocket collects Top Novices’ prize for De Bromhead and Blackmore

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Rachael Blackmore steered Inthepocket to a first Grade One success in the Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

A Grade Two winner at Navan earlier in the season for Henry de Bromhead, the JP McManus-owned six-year-old went on to fill the runner-up at the highest level at the Dublin Racing Festival before finishing a creditable fourth to Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

On the strength of that form Inthepocket was the 3-1 favourite for his third top-level assignment and after racing close to the pace throughout, he moved smoothly to the lead halfway up the straight and found plenty for pressure on the run-in to secure the honours by length and three-quarters.

Strong Leader came from a mile back to fill the runner-up spot, charging home to beat Luccia to the silver medal, with Hansard not far behind that pair in fourth.

De Bromhead said: “The Supreme form looks very good, I’m delighted with that and I think that is our first Grade One winner for the McManus family so really happy with that.

“He warmed into it, he was a little bit slow over the first couple but he’s a horse we’ve always thought a lot of and it’s nice to see him go and prove it.

“I was a bit worried about coming back after Cheltenham, but it didn’t make a difference. He was really good.

“I imagine he’ll be going in a field now and then we’ll see. He’s obviously got good size and scope so we’ll see, there are no plans at the moment.”

Rachael Blackmore all smiles in victory
Rachael Blackmore all smiles in victory (PA)

He added: “I’m open minded about next year. There’s been some good novices this season. He won a nice race at Naas then it was a bit of a funny race at the Dublin Racing Festival before he ran a nice race at Cheltenham in the Supreme.

“But he’s growing up with every run. He’s got pace and he says, he’s a really exciting horse.”

Blackmore said:” I was always happy and if anything I got carried into it a bit too soon because it is a long way to the line from the back of the last. Dropping my stick didn’t help either, but we got away with it.”

Luccia could next be seen on the Flat
Luccia could next be seen on the Flat (Mike Egerton/PA)

Nicky Henderson will target the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with Luccia next term, but her immediate aim could be on the level.

He said: “She’s been to both dances (Cheltenham and Aintree) and run two good races in Grade Ones.

“My target with her is to visit the starting stalls as the plan is to give her a spin on the Flat in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on May 3.

“I’m not afraid to go up to two and a half miles and next season her campaign will be based around the mares’ race.”

Appleby set to be double-handed in Craven Stakes

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Charlie Appleby has the chance to enhance his stellar record in the bet365 Craven Stakes with both Naval Power and Mysterious Night featuring among the 15 entries for the Newmarket contest.

The Moulton Paddocks handler has won three of the last four runnings of the one-mile Group Three which serves as a key trial for the Qipco 2000 Guineas back at the Rowley Mile on May 6.

The name of Appleby’s stable jockey William Buick appears alongside Naval Power who won his first four outings in imperious fashion before blotting his copybook in the Dewhurst at the end of his two-year-old campaign.

He was last seen notching a taking victory in the Jumeirah Classic in Dubai, while stablemate Mysterious Night has also tasted success overseas – winning at both Deauville and Woodbine during his juvenile campaign.

Remarkably Aidan O’Brien has never won the Craven Stakes and the Ballydoyle handler could be represented by Cairo and Paddington as he looks to change that, while Indestructible was trained in Ireland by Michael O’Callaghan last year but is now in the care of Karl Burke attempting to build on his placed efforts behind Guineas hope Chaldean.

Andrew Balding’s The Foxes brings course and distance form to the table having won the Royal Lodge last September and the form of that contest was given a boost when the runner-up, Dubai Mile, claimed Group One honours at Saint-Cloud.

The Foxes (left) ridden by jockey David Probert on their way to winning the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket
The Foxes (left) ridden by jockey David Probert on their way to winning the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket (David Davies/PA)

Simon and Ed Crisford’s unbeaten Knight landed the Horris Hill in heavy ground on his second start and could have the chance to confirm Newbury form over Ralph Beckett’s runner-up Grey’s Monument and Clive Cox’s Ancestral Land, who was a bronze medallist in Berkshire.

John and Thady Gosden’s Mostabshir and James Ferguson’s Canberra Legend both have one run and one victory to their name but did their winning in impressive style, while Roger Teal has always held Dancing Magic in high regard and he has plenty of experience in useful company to his name.

Finn’s Charm (Charlie Johnston), Mr Mistoffelees (Hughie Morrison) and Wiltshire (Freddie and Martyn Meade) are the other possible runners.

Gerri Colombe bounces back with Mildmay glory

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Gerri Colombe put a narrow Cheltenham Festival reverse behind him with a dominant victory in the Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree under Davy Russell.

The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old won two bumpers, two novices hurdles and his first three starts over fences, ensuring he was a hot favourite to maintain his unbeaten record in last month’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in the Cotswolds.

Gerri Colombe came off second-best in a titanic tussle with The Real Whacker at Cheltenham, going down by a short head, and was a 4-6 shot to reward those who kept the faith.

And anyone who took the cramped odds will have had few concerns for the duration of the extended three-mile contest, with Elliott’s charge travelling as smooth as silk for much of the way and moving ominously into the slipstream of Galia Des Liteaux early in the home straight.

Once asked to go about his business, Gerri Colombe readily extended clear and Russell saluted the crowd as his mount passed the post with seven and a half lengths in hand over the Paul Nicholls-trained Complete Unknown.

It was a notable success for the veteran rider, who called time on his glittering career in December only to return in the new year to fill in for the sidelined Jack Kennedy.

Russell endured a frustrating week at Cheltenham, standing himself down before he was due to take the ride on Elliott’s Conflated in the Gold Cup, but thrust himself back into the big-race spotlight aboard the exciting Gerri Colombe, who looks a Gold Cup horse in the making.

Of going on to Aintree, Russell said: “Gordon was the instigator. I was finished and he wasn’t happy with me finishing the way I finished. I was done, I was finished – again! And he wasn’t happy with the way the ending was and he said he wanted me to ride here.

“That’s great. All your life you’re trying to please trainers and owners, put yourself out there and let them know you’re the person for the job.

“It’s a tough sport, there are no pats on the back at all – you’re up, you’re down, you’re in, you’re out. You never get a pat on the back, you just have to keep moving on to the next day. When someone as high-profile as Gordon gives you a pat on the back or kick in the backside that you need, that’s the part of your career you have you make it work.

“I’m lucky that for the last couple of years Gordon has been behind me all the way, and his huge team of staff.”

Davy Russell celebrates Aintree success
Davy Russell celebrates Aintree success (Mike Egerton/PA)

Elliott was delighted to gain compensation for the Gerri Colombe’s Cheltenham defeat.

He said: “He’s a good horse. We were disappointed after Cheltenham. We felt he was the best horse in the race and that proved it today.

“He’s a horse to be excited about next year.”

Owner Brian Acheson felt The Real Whacker was a deserved victor last month, but is keen to see what the future holds for Gerri Colombe,

Gerri Colombe was a winner in Brian Acheson's Robcour colours
Gerri Colombe was a winner in Brian Acheson’s Robcour colours (Tim Goode/PA)

He said: “The one thing I will say, on the day at Cheltenham I felt the best horse won on the day, he jumped better than us and Sam (Twiston-Davies) got a great tune out of him.

“He’s come back and won today, let’s see where he goes from there.

“In fairness to Jordan (Gainford, jockey) at Cheltenham, he was possibly a bit intimidated by the new whip rules. He’s Jordan’s ride if Jack isn’t there and Davy retires. but I just think it possibly caught him out, but on the day at Cheltenham the best horse won, The Real Whacker is a very good horse.

“Every day is a learning day with him, he’s won eight out of nine now. I read somewhere today someone said he was unreliable, well I wouldn’t mind a few more unreliable types.

“The ground today was the same as Sandown, he doesn’t need it very soft.”

Nicholls was more than satisfied with Complete Unknown and expects him to be a stayer next term.

He said: “The track didn’t suit us that well and he was a bit flat out. But I loved the way he galloped all the way to the line. Races like the Welsh National and the Hennessy should be just the job for him next season.”

‘Blackmore effect’ sees Ain’t That A Shame power to forefront of National market

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Punters are backing Rachael Blackmore to land a second Randox Grand National, with her mount Ain’t That A Shame rocketing to the top echelons of the market for Saturday’s Aintree showpiece.

Blackmore created history two years ago when steering Minella Times to victory, becoming the first woman to ride the winner of the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon.

Like Minella Times, Ain’t That A Shame is trained by Henry de Bromhead.

The nine-year-old registered his first chase success at the seventh time of asking at Gowran Park last month, with the form subsequently boosted when runner-up Macs Charm scored at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Having been as long as 16-1 with some firms on Friday morning, he halved in price by the afternoon.

And Blackmore feels he has the right credentials to run a big race in the National.

“Ain’t That A Shame has a lovely profile for the race,” she told her Betfair blog.

“He was unlucky to be just beaten in the Munster National at Limerick in October, and it wasn’t my best day in the saddle when I finished fourth on him in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

“But he won nicely at Gowran the last day, and it was no harm that the runner-up came out and won at Fairyhouse there at the weekend.

“You don’t really know how a horse will handle the track or the fences until you get out there, but he had a pop over the National fences at the Curragh, and he went well. I’d be confident that he will take to the fences fine.

“He travels well through his races, which is a big help. You’re just hoping that you can get into a nice position and find a nice racing rhythm over the first few fences. I am hopeful that he can.

“After that, you never know, it’s the Grand National, but he has his chance and I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Speaking further after riding Inthepocket to victory in the Minella Times colours on Friday, Blackmore added: “Everyone who is down at the start is in with a chance, that is the kind of race it is. It is really exciting to be part of it and on such a good horse and I can’t wait.

Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Randox Grand National Handicap with Minella Times
Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Randox Grand National Handicap with Minella Times (Tim Goode/PA)

“I never really felt much pressure in the race in the first place. It is just a race that everyone knows there are so many different things that can happen. You might be on the favourite, but it is not like riding the favourite in the Champion Hurdle. It doesn’t carry the same pressure as there are so many different variables in the Grand National.

“You are delighted to be down there and I will give it a crack and see what happens. It is a different atmosphere in the weighing room. Everyone is wishing each other good luck. It definitely has a different feeling to any other race that I’ve ridden in.

“He has a really good profile for the race and he is a very exciting horse to ride in it. He did (run in the same race that Minella Times ran in before winning the Grand National at Leopardstown) and I maybe didn’t give him the best ride in that race and he finished fourth. There is definitely more to come from him.”

Ain’t That A Shame runs in the colours of Brian Acheson’s Robcour – but he seemingly does not share Blackmore’s optimism, saying: “I don’t know where the money is coming from. I really don’t, he’s useless, genuinely, he’s useless!”

Blackmore became the first female jockey to win Cheltenham Gold Cup when A Plus Tard scored for De Bromhead in 2022
Blackmore became the first female jockey to win Cheltenham Gold Cup when A Plus Tard scored for De Bromhead in 2022 (PA)

De Bromhead also saddles Gabbys Cross, who was third in the Leinster National at Naas when ridden by Blackmore.

Peter Carberry renews the partnership this time and the trainer said: “I think we’ve two live chances with Gabbys Cross and Ain’t That A Shame.

“They are both in good form and hopefully they can give a good account of themselves.”

Bookmakers are attributing the welter of cash to Blackmore’s popularity.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “The ‘Blackmore effect’ appears to be sweeping the nation as everyone seems to be getting behind Ain’t That A Shame in the Grand National.

“Blackmore made history by becoming the first woman to win the famous race two years ago and the public are backing her to repeat that feat. As bookmakers, it’s certainly a result we are praying to avoid.”

Elliott looking to Delta to deliver fourth National success

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Gordon Elliott is sweet on Delta Work as he goes in search of a joint-record fourth victory in Randox Grand National on Saturday.

The master of Cullentra was a fresh-faced and relatively unknown 29-year-old when first claiming the world’s most famous steeplechase with Silver Birch in 2007. But he is now very much established as one of National Hunt racing’s elite trainers.

Elliott has fond memories of that day 16 years ago, but does not believe Silver Birch’s triumph was a major factor in his meteoric rise through the ranks.

Gordon Elliott with Silver Birch
Gordon Elliott with Silver Birch (Niall Carson/PA)

“I didn’t get one horse out of training Silver Birch. I got my name out after that, but I had to prove I could go and train winners,” he said.

“We trained an awful of mid-range winners in the north of England after Silver Birch and that is what really got us going. That got a lot of owners on board to get us in a great position.”

Elliott was a household name by the time his second National winner came around, with the hugely-popular Tiger Roll striking gold in 2018.

Also a five-time winner at the Cheltenham Festival, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding became an Aintree legend by making it back-to-back victories in 2019.

Those triumphs have put Elliott on the verge of joining George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Red Rum’s trainer Ginger McCain as a four-time winner.

Elliott added: “The Grand National has been a special race to me and I have won it three times. Obviously, I would love to win it again. Hopefully, I have at least another 20 or 30 years of my training career left, so hopefully it will happen at some stage.

“I rode around Aintree a few times and broke my arm the last time I rode there on a horse called Sheltering for Edward O’Grady (in the 2003 Fox Hunters’ Chase).

“I didn’t have much luck there as a rider, but I was just an ordinary amateur and enjoyed it. I like training a lot more.”

The shortest-priced of Elliott’s five-strong team is Delta Work, who denied Tiger Roll the fairytale ending to his career in the cross-country chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival before finishing third in the Grand National.

The 10-year-old successfully defended his crown at Cheltenham last month and Elliott is confident he will be in the thick of the action again on his return to Aintree.

He said: “If I had to pick a horse to ride this year, it would be Delta Work. He got a little bit far back early last year, but ran a very good race.

“He was a bit careful, but he is in great form now and we couldn’t be happier with him.”

Elliott’s second string appears to be Galvin, who was runner-up to Delta Work at Cheltenham just over four weeks ago and will be ridden by Davy Russell, who steered Tiger Roll to his two National wins.

Russell came out of retirement to stand in for the sidelined Jack Kennedy earlier in the season and it would be a fitting end to his riding career if he can go out on a blaze of glory.

Galvin will be ridden by Davy Russell
Galvin will be ridden by Davy Russell (Donall Farmer/PA)

Elliott, who also runs Dunboyne (Jack Tudor), Fury Road (Jonjo O’Neill Jnr) and Coko Beach (Harry Cobden), added: “With Galvin, the drier the ground, the better chance he has.

“He will have come on a lot from Cheltenham and is in good form. We are very, very happy with him.”

The horse bidding to emulate Tiger Roll by securing back-to-back Grand National wins is the Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats.

The eight-year-old gave distinguished amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen the perfect send-off last year, returning to Aintree to win the Many Clouds Chase in December before finishing third and fourth in the Cotswold Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup respectively.

Mullins is hoping Sean Bowen can repeat Waley-Cohen’s tactics from 12 months ago, saying: “He was last over the first last time. He wasn’t in contention for the first two miles, but it all worked out in his favour.

Noble Yeats and Sam Waley-Cohen winning last year's Grand National
Noble Yeats and Sam Waley-Cohen winning last year’s Grand National (David Davies/PA)

“There’s no rule of thumb for it, it’s just getting the horse happy and confident in a bit of space and running into the gaps. It’ll probably have to be the brave man’s route to get that space. He negotiated it last year and fingers crossed he can do it again.

“I think he’s getting a bit wiser every time and looking after himself a bit more. He’s just holding a bit back for himself, but hopefully we can get it out of him.

“Just a bit of space is ideal for him, it’s going to be hard in a National with 40 runners but I suppose I’ll just keep telling Sean to go back and look at Sam’s ride last year.”

In a market otherwise dominated by the Irish, the clear outlier is Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler.

It is six years since Russell’s One For Arthur became only the second Scottish-trained winner of the Aintree showpiece, after Rubstic in 1979, and there is no doubt her latest contender has a lot going for him.

Corach Rambler lines up officially 10lb well-in at the weights, with the handicapper unable to penalise him for his successful defence of the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival last month, and his trainer feels he provides her with a “fantastic chance” of bagging a second National.

“It was funny really because going in I didn’t expect to win at Cheltenham at all, I certainly didn’t expect him to win as he did,” said the Kinross handler.

“We knew that he had improved this season and before the race we knew that he had improved, so it was exciting to see him be able to go on and win like that. But the slightly scary thing is, I think he has improved again.

“Scu (Peter Scudamore, Russell’s partner) rode him just afterwards and he said that he had come out of that race so well. So if he can do (improve again), Aintree is the race for him.”

Stamina is Corach Rambler’s strong suit and with just 10st 5lb on his back, and One For Arthur’s rider Derek Fox set to return from injury just in time to take the ride, everything points to a huge run.

“Technically, if you look at it, he is extremely well in on the handicap,” Russell added.

“He’s gone up in the weights since Cheltenham and I think he has improved as well. From that point of view, technically, I think has got a fantastic chance.

“He has to take to the fences, he has to take to the whole Aintree experience, but again I am pretty confident that he will do that.”

Marie’s ready to Rock in Liverpool Hurdle

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Marie’s Rock will finally get a crack at three miles when she goes to post for the Jrl Group Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.

Connections had mooted a move up in trip for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before electing to defend her Mares’ Hurdle crown over an intermediate distance.

However, having seen her four-race winning run come to an end at Prestbury Park, the Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old will now test her mettle in the staying division, with the flat three miles of the Merseyside track identified as the perfect examination of her credentials.

“It was well documented it was a 50-50 last minute decision whether we stepped up or didn’t at Cheltenham,” said Tom Palin of owners Middleham Park Racing.

“I still think we made the right decision as it was very testing there at Cheltenham and I think this looks a slightly more open rendition of a three-mile Grade One.

“Her trainer has been quite vocal all year that he would like to see her over three miles. The jockey (Nico de Boinville) is very confident she will see out the trip and after her performance in the Relkeel, I want to jump on the bandwagon as well. It’s been something we’ve been wanting to try for the last couple of months and we’re finally going to do it.

“I think Aintree seems the sensible place to have a look at three miles. She’s never been round there but has a lot of form at flat tracks, so there is no reason to think she wouldn’t act round there. As much as Cheltenham is her spiritual home, this should be fine for her and she’s in good form.”

Marie’s Rock was sent off the 9-4 joint favourite when beaten 15 lengths at the Cheltenham Festival, but with the mare showing no ill effects in the aftermath, Palin is keen to put a line through that outing as she looks to regain the winning thread in the her first visit to the north west.

“We’re happy to put a line through Cheltenham,” he continued. “The Mares’ was an unsatisfactory race in the way it was run.

“It was run at a very sedate pace and the two on the front just got soft leads and were able to wind it up at the correct time. That left horses like ourselves and Epatante on the back foot and unable to land a blow.

“Nothing came to light with our mare afterwards and I would hope to see a truer run race here, which means she will be able to settle and in theory we should see her finishing burst quickening off an already good tempo.

Trainer Nicky Henderson and Marie’s Rock during a visit to Nicky Henderson’s stables at Seven Barrows in Lambourn
Trainer Nicky Henderson and Marie’s Rock during a visit to Nicky Henderson’s stables at Seven Barrows in Lambourn (David Davies/PA)

“She will either stay or she will not. We will not be riding her to get the trip, we’ll just settle her in mid-div and whenever Nico feels the time is right to unleash her up that straight, we will find out if she stays or she doesn’t.”

Stayers’ Hurdle champion Sire Du Berlais accounted for Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter in this 12 months ago and Gordon Elliott will be hoping lighting strikes twice for his stable stalwart following his heroic Prestbury Park triumph last month.

“Sire Du Berlais seems in great order since Cheltenham,” said the Cullentra House handler.

“He has a habit of running one massive race a year and that’s what he did at Cheltenham, but hopefully he can find another big performance here.”

As well as the defending champion, owner JP McManus can also count on the services of Champ who is another in the race for Seven Barrows handler Henderson.

Dashel Drasher further represents the Stayers’ Hurdle form, with Jeremy Scott’s admirably consistent 10-year-old attempting to go one better than his Cheltenham second, while Home By The Lee struck twice in Ireland before finishing fifth – beaten only three and three-quarter lengths – at the Festival.

“He seems in good shape and we’re looking forward to going to Aintree with him – we think the track will suit him,” said trainer Joseph O’Brien.

Home By The Lee ridden by jockey JJ Slevin (left) jumps the last hurdle on their way to winning the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown
Home By The Lee ridden by jockey JJ Slevin (left) jumps the last hurdle on their way to winning the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

“He did well to finish as close as he did in Cheltenham after the mistake he made.

“We’re hoping for a good run from him in what looks a good race.”

Oliver McKiernan’s Meet And Greet was third to Home By The Lee at Leopardstown over Christmas and was last seen finishing runner-up to Blazing Khal in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

He returns to three miles which could be a positive, while attempting the trip for the first time is Olly Murphy’s Brewin’upastorm – who proved better than ever when continuing his love affair with Fontwell’s National Spirit Hurdle in February.

Dan Skelton’s Proschema was well held in that contest and has not been seen at his best since scoring at Wetherby earlier in the season, with Paul Nicholls’ Monmiral reverting to the smaller obstacles having been novice chasing throughout the current campaign.

Peter Fahey confident The Big Dog has big National chance

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If a trainer’s confidence was a guide to winning the Randox Grand National, The Big Dog would be already be home and hosed.

It is never easy to be overly-optimistic in any horse race, especially so in the four-and-a-quarter-mile Aintree showpiece. More so if that horse fell on his last start.

Though The Big Dog tipped up – for the first time in his chasing career – in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February, Peter Fahey is adamant the 10-year-old, who won the Munster National and the Troytown Chase earlier this term, has all the credentials to land the £1million race.

“He travelled over great and is in great form. We are really looking forward to it,” said the Kildare handler.

“If you drew a line under his last run, his form is rock solid.

“The ground is beautiful, everything seems good and well for him. He is in great form and working well at home. You get a bit of luck in running, and hopefully he runs a big race for everyone.

“It is a race that every trainer in the world wants to win and to have a horse going to it with a great chance is brilliant.

“Please God he’ll win and it would be brilliant for everyone involved.

“I think he can win – I do. I can’t see any reason why not. I think he has a great profile. You take away his fall and he has a proper profile for it.”

Any Second Now will carry top weight of 11st 12lb, having finished an unlucky third in the race in 2021 and second to Noble Yeats last year.

In contrast to Fahey, trainer Ted Walsh feels the 11-year-old’s best chance may have passed, however.

He said: “He’s as good as he can be and I think he’s as good as he was last year. That probably won’t be good enough but anymore than that I can’t do.

Ted Walsh (right) feels Any Second Now's best chance may have gone
Ted Walsh (right) feels Any Second Now’s best chance may have gone (David Davies/PA)

“Whatever he has he has, but he is rated 8lb higher than last year and he couldn’t win it last year, so it is very hard to see him winning now. But he’s in good nick, he goes there with a good chance and I’m glad to have him.

“There’s been no hiccups all season and everything is good, no problems.

“It is great to be a part of it. I never thought I would ever have a horse that was saddlecloth number one going to the start of the Grand National anyway.

“Everyone in National Hunt racing dreams about a Gold Cup and a Grand National or Irish National and they are the biggest ones you can get.

“The dream has already been fulfilled (Walsh won the race with Papillon in 2000), but I don’t know if it will be fulfilled again.”

Le Milos bids for a second big handicap chase success of the season, having plundered the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November.

Le Milos bids to repeat the form that saw him win the Coral Gold Cup
Le Milos (centre) bids to repeat the form that saw him win the Coral Gold Cup (John Walton/PA)

Though he did not run again until being narrowly beaten at Kelso in early March, trainer Dan Skelton is confident he has him fitter than when last seen.

“Le Milos is in really good form. I took him for an away day recently, and he was very good,” said Skelton.

“He’s versatile in regards to the ground and I think he’ll stay the trip, so he’s got a good profile for the race.

“He’s a Coral Gold Cup winner and I can assure you that I was probably as fit as he was at Kelso!

“I was a bit embarrassed about it to be honest, as I knew he’d need the run, but then when you get caught that late, you do kick yourself a little bit.

“He was obviously a gallop short of winning that day but I know how much he’d done and how much he’s done since, so I know that will be well left behind.”

Longhouse Poet (left) ran well for a long way in last year's renewal
Longhouse Poet (left) ran well for a long way in last year’s renewal (PA)

Longhouse Poet was sixth last year, weakening in the finish after racing to the fore. He advertised his well-being when beating Roi Mage at Down Royal and trainer Martin Brassil, who won the race in 2006 with Numbersixvalverde, feels he will be right in the thick of things again.

“Everything is as it should be, hopefully,” he said. “He was a bit keen last year and we have had that to look back on, so we can see what we can do to alleviate it.

“The fact that he has had a run round there might mean he is not as exuberant as he was the first time, but at least he has the experience of it anyway.

“It’s a great ride for JJ (Slevin) and there has been plenty of rain, which won’t hurt – the slower the ground, the better.”

Vanillier looks nicely handicapped in the Aintree spectacular
Vanillier looks nicely handicapped in the Aintree spectacular (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Only three grey horses have landed the Aintree prize since the race’s inception in 1839 – The Lamb (1871), Nicolaus Silver (1961) and Neptune Collonges (2012).

Vanillier has just 10st 6lb on his back as he bids to join that elite trio and trainer Gavin Cromwell thinks there is plenty in his favour.

“He has a lovely weight,” said the Navan handler. “The ground looks like it is going to be ideal and he’s settled in well since he’s come over.

“We’re looking forward to it. His run last time behind Kemboy in the Bobbyjo was a great run, especially since were were ‘wrong’ at the weights, and that was a good prep.

“He has come out of that well and hopefully come forward a bit since then.

“Like every National, you need everything to go your way and you need luck on your side, but if he gets that, hopefully he’ll be in the mix.

“I think he’ll take to the fences. We schooled him over similar (National) fences at the Curragh and he seemed to like them, so fingers crossed he’ll go well.”

The Sam Thomas-trained Our Power also has a nice racing weight, having sneaked in at the foot of the handicap.

Winner of four of his eight starts over fences, the eight-year-old is on a hat-trick, having won competitive three-mile handicaps on his previous two starts at Ascot and Kempton.

“We took him to Lambourn as they’ve got two ready-made fences and it was a nice away day for them,” said Thomas. “He jumped brilliantly, had a good day out and a good experience all round.

“It’s very much an unknown, they go a terrible speed down to the first few and you’re in the lap of the gods really. You need to have a lot of luck, meet the first on a nice stride and get your feet on the ground.

“Sam (Twiston-Davies, jockey) is super excited, he wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s been pretty vocal about it for quite some time.

“He’s got a progressive profile I’d say. We’re going into the race with a nice, fresh horse but there are so many unknowns.”

Mister Coffey (right) will bid to give Nicky Henderson his first National success
Mister Coffey (right) will bid to give Nicky Henderson his first National success (Adam Davy/PA)

Six-times champion trainer Nicky Henderson hopes to fill the glaring omission on his glittering CV with Mister Coffey.

The eight-year-old, who was 16th when favourite for the Topham over the same Grand National fences last April, has finished runner-up on five of his eight chase starts and was placed in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time.

“Mister Coffey’s stats are great – he’s a maiden over fences but he placed in a National Hunt Chase. But you need to worry about my stats!” Henderson said.

“It would be nice (to win it) and we will give it a go.

“He ran a great race at Cheltenham, that was a perfect Aintree trial. He took to the fences in the Topham, it just wasn’t far enough, this time it’s another whole circuit.”