Tag Archive for: Grand National

Steel toughs it out in Premier Chase prize

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Empire Steel capped a fine day for local handler Sandy Thomson and jockey Ryan Mania when hunting down Le Milos in the dying strides to seal the bet365 Premier Chase.

The race was supposed to put the finishing touches to the Randox Grand National preparations of Dan Skelton’s 10-11 favourite, but it was the locally-trained nine-year-old who bolstered his spring credentials – with a trip to the Scottish National rather than Aintree now likely.

With Le Milos and Wishing And Hoping disputing things on the front end, the chances of the course-and-distance winner looked to have gone when he made a mistake five out and was again sticky at the fourth last.

Victory looked a formality for the race favourite and Harry Skelton was searching for dangers clearing the last. But the Lodge Hill raider start to look weary and with Mania having had time to fill up Empire Steel’s tank, the dashing grey could sense a struggling target was in reach.

He stuck his neck out and responded resolutely to his rider’s urgings and with Le Milos waning with every stride, Empire Steel collared him in the shadow of the post to score at odds of 4-1 and seal a 59-1 double for the Lambden Racing operation following Benson’s win in the Morebattle Hurdle.

“I’m delighted for the horse that he’s won a decent race, we’ve always thought a lot of him,” said Thomson.

“He was very unlucky at Wetherby (Rowland Meyrick, 2021) a year and a half or so ago and it hasn’t quite gone right gone for him since. But he seems to run to get a rating of around 152 whenever he runs round here and has done it again.

“You are always delighted when a horse who has ability gets one in the bag and no one can ever take it away from him.”

The Borders handler was winning the Listed event for a second time following Seldom Inn’s success in 2017 and having taken advantage of those with the Grand National at Aintree in the back of their mind, Empire Of Steel will try to break Thomson’s duck in the Scottish equivalent at Ayr.

“I’ve been lucky Seldom Inn won it, Seeyouatmidnight was third and Hill Sixteen was second, so it was nice to get another winner in the race,” continued Thomson.

“The Shunter won his money and I’m not sure he’s the horse he used to be and although the Skeltons will be annoyed they got beaten, they will be delighted with the Grand National trial that their horse ran.

“If we get 4lb or 5lb and up to around 146, then I would be quite happy and the Scottish National would be the aim.

“The great thing today is he has won on good to soft ground, whereas in the past his better performances were on soft and heavy ground, so I’m absolutely delighted with him and I don’t think you will see him before the Scottish National. There’s nothing really at Aintree that fits the bill and I think the Scottish National will be his sort of race.”

On the big-race double at his local track, he added: “It’s been an unbelievable day. To have one winner is great but to win the two big races here is incredible.”

Flooring Porter ‘on target’ for Stayers’ Hurdle defence

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Flooring Porter is “on target” for a Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle hat-trick bid, according to trainer Gavin Cromwell.

The eight-year-old was magnificent from the front in the hands of Danny Mullins in both 2021 and 2022, but his chances of lighting up Prestbury Park for a third time appeared to be in the balance having met with a setback following defeat in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

His hopes of making the Festival were described as no better than “50-50” at the time, but connections are now happy with their charge, who returns to his beloved Cheltenham as the 6-1 joint-fourth favourite with the race sponsor.

“We’re happy now and we’re on target to run,” said Cromwell.

“Obviously he missed a bit of work and that isn’t ideal, but we’re happy with him nonetheless. He’s in good form and hopefully now we can get him over there in one piece.

“With such an unideal prep, hopefully he doesn’t have as big a target on his back and we can be slightly under the radar.

“But we’re delighted to be getting him there – a month ago we were very unsure whether we would, so it’s great to be thinking he’s certainly going to run.”

Cromwell is also hoping that Vanillier can sparkle in the spring when he heads to the Randox Grand National on April 15 following a pleasing display in Fairyhouse’s Bobbyjo Chase.

Vanillier here winning at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to line up in the Randox Grand National
Vanillier here winning at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to line up in the Randox Grand National (Michael Steele/PA)

The former Albert Bartlett winner was coming off a back of a fall at the Dublin Racing Festival when lining up in the Grade Three contest, but produced a clean round of jumping to finish just half a length behind Kemboy in second.

He is now likely to head straight to Aintree and saw his odds trimmed to a general 25-1 for National glory.

Cromwell continued: “I was delighted with the run. He jumped and travelled well and it was a good run to finish so close to Kemboy. I suppose the third horse was a bit behind on ratings which wasn’t ideal, but it was a good run nonetheless.

“I would say he is unlikely to run again between now and Aintree, but he’s not definitely not going to run again.

“We don’t know which way he will take to the fences, but hopefully he will and we’re looking forward to it.

“He’s a horse who seems to come good in the spring, so hopefully that is the case.”

Mullins rates Incredible’s National chance

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Willie Mullins has his usual strong hand in the Randox Grand National but seems sweet on the chances of Mr Incredible following his good run at Warwick recently.

Having just his second start since leaving Henry de Bromhead, Mr Incredible finished second to Iwilldoit in the Classic Chase – a race which has been a good pointer to Aintree in the past.

Mullins has several others with leading claims, including Grade One-winning novices Capodanno and Gaillard Du Mesnil, with Thyestes winner Carefully Selected another to consider.

Running through his entries, Mullins said: “Burrows Saint (10st 12lb) jumps well around the National, finished fourth in 2021. He’s had a little bit of time off with a few training problems and he comes back for his first run in the Bobbyjo this week. That’s usually a good pointer for the National. If he runs well there he could have a good crack at the National.

Capodanno was a Grade One winner last season
Capodanno was a Grade One winner last season (Niall Carson/PA)

“Capodanno (11st 5lb) is very interesting. He won a three-mile Grade One novice at the end of last season, I think he stays the trip. At the moment I think we’re going for the Gold Cup.

“Carefully Selected (11st 1lb) won the Thyestes and the Thyestes, at our local track at Gowran Park, is always a great guide to the Grand National so I’ve no problem with him staying the trip and I’ve no problem with him jump around. He’s a good each-way, I think, for the National.

“Franco De Port (11st 3lb) is another who loves a trip and loves jumping. He was third in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris and that sort of form would give him a chance in a National.

“Gaillard Du Mesnil (11st) is a novice in name, (but) he’s a second-season novice.

“He eventually broke his maiden at Christmas, winning a three-mile Grade One novice at Leopardstown and that’s good form.

“He jumps and stays and will probably go to Cheltenham first and, all being well, have a good crack at the National after that.

“Mr Incredible (10st 4lb) is a nice horse and that run at Warwick puts him right in there – I think he has a nice weight for the National too.

“Recite A Prayer (10st 1lb) ran around Aintree and is usually a very good jumper. He’s a horse that lots of lads will putting their hands up to ride.

“You have Grade One form with Capodanno and Gaillard Du Mesnil, but I think Mr Incredible is a nice horse and his run in Warwick puts him right there.”

Blackmore hails retiring National hero Minella Times

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Rachael Blackmore acknowledged her life-changing Grand National success on Minella Times after the 2021 winner was retired through injury.

Trained Henry de Bromhead was hoping to have another crack at the great race via the cross-country chase at Cheltenham.

However, a shoulder problem has emerged which has forced connections to call time on his career.

He will be forever remembered as the horse who enabled Blackmore to become the first woman to ride the winner of the most famous race in the world.

Minella Times and Rachael Blackmore on their way to victory
Minella Times and Rachael Blackmore on their way to victory (David Davies/PA)

“I think that day did change my life. I didn’t realise the scope of the Grand National or the reach that the race has until afterwards, it really does hit different parts of the world that other races perhaps don’t,” said Blackmore, speaking at the weights lunch for this year’s race.

“Outside the racing bubble, it hits a lot of people and when you’re walking in today and you’re seeing replays of all the old races playing in the background, it’s just an incredible race and it’s a privilege to be a part of its history now.

“He’s such a special horse for me and he gave me the best day in racing that I’ve had – and there’s a lot of hot competition for that!

“It was such an incredible day and you just have so much gratitude for the horse when they give you something like he did. It was an incredible day and to be able to do it in the colours of JP McManus and for Henry just made it even more special.

“He’s always been a yard favourite I think and Henry and all the team have done such an incredible job with him to achieve that, so I’ll always be so grateful to Henry and everyone down there for what they did in getting him to win the race.”

Reflecting on the race itself she said: “He was just such a fabulous jumper. He jumped so well from fence to fence. Obviously we got a lot of luck in the race and got a beautiful passage throughout, so luck was definitely on our side and you need that in a Grand National.

“He’s just such an intelligent horse and it was such an enjoyable race to ride in, aside from going over the line which took it to a whole different stratosphere.

“Actually riding in the race was electric and jockeys always say that just getting around in the National gives you a bit of a kick and it’s true, there’s something different about it. I already had that buzz from him, it’s an incredible feeling to get round, so to actually win the race was incredible.”

De Bromhead said: “He suffered a setback yesterday so we have taken the decision to retire him.

“He absolutely loved it at Aintree. He’d had a really good season coming up to it, having been placed in a couple of really competitive handicap chases and the McManuses were keen to go for the race. It was an amazing day and one of our best.

“Winning any of those big races is incredible, but the National was an amazing day in its own right and the fact that Rachael was the first woman to win the race made it even better.

“We were bang in the middle of Covid lockdown when we won, unfortunately, but the media attention was still massive.”

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry confirmed it was a shoulder problem.

Rachael Blackmore created history at Aintree in 2021
Rachael Blackmore created history at Aintree in 2021 (David Davies/PA)

He said: “We were looking forward to going to the cross-country at Cheltenham with him and back to the National, but he had a mishap – he hurt his shoulder.

“He might need an operation on it to make him comfortable in retirement. It’s just disappointing.

“He gave us a great day. It’s a real shame because Henry was very happy with him and we were looking forward to getting him back for the cross-country and the National again.

“The handicapper hit him very hard for winning the National and he struggled last year, but he had dropped back down a bit so it’s just unfortunate he’s had the accident. Hopefully he’ll be fine to have a good retirement.

“The season he won the National, Henry had him in great form, he put up two great performances at Leopardstown before Aintree and everything went smoothly there.

“He got a great ride from Rachael on the day and it was a day none of us will every forget.”

Hanlon happy to roll National dice with joint-top weight Hewick

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Trainer Shark Hanlon – Hewick (11st 12lb) and Cape Gentleman (10st 8lb)

“Hewick has a big weight, but he’s used to carrying a big weight. What can we do? There isn’t anything we can do about it. When they’re good they get those weights and that’s it.

“He gave a stone and a half to everything in Listowel (unseated at final fence in Kerry National) so I don’t see why we wouldn’t go again.

“Cape Gentleman’s weight is lovely, I’m very happy with that. I’m delighted with that weight – he’ll think he is loose. I’d say they’ll both run.”

Corach Rambler looks weighted to run a big race
Corach Rambler looks weighted to run a big race (Nigel French/PA)

Trainer Lucinda Russell – Corach Rambler (10st 5lb)

“I’m absolutely delighted with that weight and if we got that in the Grand National, that would be fantastic. He only needs a couple of horses to come out so he’ll probably get a run, so that’s super.

“We haven’t really run him since the Coral Gold Cup so that he could get in the race off this mark.

“He’ll now probably run at Cheltenham (in the Ultima). The big question is going to be if he takes to the fences. I think nowadays the fences are a lot kinder than they were and he’s a very intelligent horse – if he doesn’t take to them we’ll know by the fourth or fifth fence.”

Trainer Nicky Henderson – Mister Coffey (10st 4lb)

“He needs a few still to come out but the plan is to go to the Grand National. He will go to the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham first, where he will be ridden by Derek O’Connor, then on to Aintree.

“He ran in the Topham last season which possibly came a bit quick after his run at Cheltenham but he seemed to enjoy going over the fences and this has always been the plan to come back for a go at the Grand National.”

Harry Skelton and Le Milos at Newbury
Harry Skelton and Le Milos at Newbury (John Walton/PA)

Tom Messenger, assistant to trainer Dan Skelton – Le Milos (10st 11lb) and Ashtown Lad (10st 3lb)

“Le Milos has got a lovely profile and it’s exciting that he’s guaranteed a run. He’s a proven stayer and although he hasn’t been over the fences before, I don’t see it being an issue.

“He’s one we’re really excited about. He won the Coral Gold Cup off 146 so he’s only 6lb higher here. I think he’s off a competitive weight and fingers crossed we get there.

“Ashtown Lad has been running well over hurdles – we’ve been running him over timber since his win in the Becher Chase at Aintree. Ideally we’d have run him over fences last weekend at Ascot but the ground was too quick, so we gave him another run over hurdles (finished third in Rendlesham at Haydock).

“He’s obviously proven his ability over fences, though he didn’t look as though he stayed at Ayr last year in the Scottish Grand National. He’s a year older and stronger now, so he’s got the option of the National or the Topham if he doesn’t get in.”

Trainer Donald McCain – Minella Trump (10st 6lb)

“It’s all about getting in the race and getting a run. Obviously it’s a way off yet, but that’s a lovely racing weight.

“He was very busy for a while and he needed a holiday so he’s had a break and he’s back in fast work now. We’ll try to get a run in somewhere but if we can’t, we’ll get him away from home.

“It’s been an ambition to get Tim (Leslie, owner) a runner in the Grand National, so if we can get there that’s great.

“The modern day Grand National has changed a bit but he stays, he’s a thorough professional and he knows how to win.”

Trainer Kim Bailey – Happygolucky (10st 11lb)

“The plan is to run him next in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Festival. He has always given us the impression he is a very good jumper. He has been quite careful this season but he hasn’t had his ground – ideally he wants proper winter ground.”

Trainer David Pipe – Remastered (10st 10lb)

“Remastered has had a good season. He finished very strongly on his last start over fences at Kempton, then he disappointed at Sandown back over hurdles last time. I’m not really sure what happened that day, but you can put a line through it.

“He is in at Kempton on Saturday and he might go there but wherever he goes he needs to bounce back. If he doesn’t, it might put an outing in the National in doubt.”

Cloudy Glen looks a National type
Cloudy Glen looks a National type (Tim Goode/PA)

Mick Meagher, racing manager to the Hemmings family – Cloudy Glen (10st 4lb)

“I’m very happy with that. It’s essentially the same weight that he carried on Saturday (when third in Grand National Trial at Haydock). I’d say if he got into a rhythm, then why not?

“He’ll probably run at Cheltenham in the Ultima and then we’ll go to Aintree.”

Joe Chambers, racing manager to owners Rich and Susannah Ricci – Royale Pagaille (11st 8lb) and Burrows Saint (10st 12lb)

“Royale Pagaille suffered a little injury during the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, hence why he hasn’t been seen since. I spoke with Venetia (Williams, trainer) last week and he is on track to run in the Gold Cup, albeit without a run.

“He is very ground dependent and in order for him to be seen at his best, he does need it to be as soft as possible. With that being said, he had performed very well in handicaps in the UK and we’ve always thought that a Grand National would suit him.”

Trainer Joe Tizzard – The Big Breakaway (10st 10lb)

“He is running off his mark of 151 and that is a lovely racing weight he has. I don’t think they will go up much at all, so he gets in nicely and he is guaranteed a run.

“The plan is to take him to the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival, then on to Aintree afterwards. Last season we struggled with his shins a bit and we tried to get away with it but it didn’t work. We treated them and we haven’t looked back since.”

The Big Dog at Limerick
The Big Dog at Limerick (PA)

Trainer Peter Fahey – The Big Dog (11st 5lb)

“I thought he was going to run a good race at Leopardstown (when falling at the second-last in the Irish Gold Cup), so I’m definitely happy. He’s in the mix and it’s a nice weight for him.

“He’s coming into it with a lot to recommend him and I think it’s the ideal race for him. It’s kind of been the plan all year and it’s nice to have a horse going over for it.”

Trainer Henry de Bromhead – Envoi Allen (11st 8lb) and Chris’s Dream (11st), Ain’t That A Shame (10st 5lb), Gin On Lime (10st 4lb)

“Envoi Allen is in the Ryanair. We’re not sure yet – we’ll see. We haven’t firmed up anything yet.

“Chris’s Dream is going for the Festival Hunters’ Chase and we’ll see from there.

“That weight seems fair enough for Ain’t That A Shame. I’d say we’ll look to get another run in – there are a couple of options or he might just go straight there.

“Gin On Lime’s weight is in and around her mark. I’d say well go for the cross-country at Cheltenham and then go to Aintree.”

Trainer Martin Brassil – Longhouse Poet (11st)

“I think if you’re anywhere around 10st 10lb to 11st 2lb or 11st 3lb then you have a reasonable weight. There are more horses winning with over 11st than there used to be.

“I think the year I won it (Numbersixvalverde, 2006) I had 10st 8lb and I had another horse finish third on about 10st 11lb or 10st 12lb, but the better class of horses are running in it since the course was modified and a lot of them are getting involved in the finish of it.

“Longhouse Poet was sixth in the race last year and he’s going to run this week in the Bobbyjo (Chase).”

Elliott backs Delta Work to lead his Aintree charge

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Delta Work – the horse who foiled Tiger Roll’s fairytale farewell at Cheltenham last season – appears to be Gordon Elliott’s main fancy as the trainer seeks a fourth success in the Randox Grand National.

Third to Noble Yeats last April having narrowly played the role of party pooper against his then stablemate in the cross-country chase, the 10-year-old will be heading to Liverpool with experience under his belt this season.

Having run a fine race over the cross-country course in January, he had a spin over hurdles last time out at Navan when sixth to Blazing Khal and he has been allotted 11st 4lb.

“This has been the plan all season. He has a nice weight for the race and I’m happy with that,” said Elliott.

“We just switched him back to hurdles on his last start to sharpen him up a bit as he had gone a little bit rusty. It was a race we had run Tiger Roll in before he went to Cheltenham and then on to Aintree.

“I thought he ran very well in the National last season behind Noble Yeats. He got a little bit far back early on and he had lots to do. Having had that experience over the fences, we go back there with plenty of confidence and we are looking forward to it.”

Coko Beach (11st) bounced back to form at Punchestown last week in a Grand National Trial but, unfortunately for him, the handicapper had time to reassess the winner of that race this year.

Elliott said: “It was a great run to win the Grand National Trial at Punchestown on Sunday. He jumps great and he enjoyed the ground. He will definitely run in the race.

Coko Beach catapulted himself in the Grand National picture on Sunday
Coko Beach catapulted himself in the Grand National picture on Sunday (Niall Carson/PA)

“I thought it was a good run in the race last year when he finished eighth and he is another we are looking forward to taking back over again.”

Galvin (11st 11lb) has not been at his best so far this term but still finds himself towards the head of the weights.

“He started off the season very well winning a Grade Three at Punchestown but his form has just tapered off a bit. He has just had a little procedure done on his back and he is back working well,” said Elliott.

“The plan is to run him in the cross-country race at Cheltenham then on the National. We sort of thought last season that he could be one for the National as we thought he was probably just lacking a gear for races like the Gold Cup and those sort of Grade One races.

“He seems in good form and we are looking forward to running him in the National. I think he will be fine over the fences.”

Conflated is likely to wait until next year's Grand National
Conflated is likely to wait until next year’s Grand National (Niall Carson/PA)

Conflated (11st 12lb) is joint top-weight along with Any Second Now and Hewick, with Elliott feeling he may be more one for next year with the Gold Cup his main aim this season.

“He will go to Cheltenham first for the Gold Cup and we will see from there whether he will be one for the Grand National this season or next season,” said Elliott.

“He would be a very classy horse to have in the race. I could see him being a horse for the National, but it might be a year too early to run him in the race.”

Ryanair Chase-bound Fury Road (11st 6lb) is another unlikely to run.

“He will probably be a doubtful runner I would say at the moment. We will probably just go for the Ryanair and see after that,” said Elliott.

Pencilfulloflead (10st 12lb) is a possible, though, having finished third in the Thyestes last time out.

“He is a good horse and has a lovely weight on his back. He ran very well in the Thyestes the last day. He is good now, but we just had a few issues with him early on,” said Elliott.

“He is sound now and is in good form. He is on the right side of the 11st mark and is exactly in the sort of place where we want to be in the race. He should enjoy a test like this.”

Farclas (10st 10lb), fifth in 2021 as a seven-year-old, is another in the mix.

Elliott said: “He ran well in the race in 2021 when he finished fifth. The plan was to go there again last year but he got a little setback. He has a lovely weight on his back and all being well, he will go back there this year.”

Of Escaria Ten (10st 10lb), ninth last year, Elliott felt he had a nice weight but failed to see the trip out last season while Dunboyne, second in the Thyestes, would be an ideal type for the race but with only 10st, he might not make the cut.

Battleoverdoyen and Death Duty could also take their chances but Elliott feels Ash Tree Meadow will be better off waiting for next year, while Defi Bleu, Gevrey, Milan Native, Punitive, Fakiera and Mortal are unlikely to get in.

Walsh ‘absolutely shocked’ by Any Second Now’s National weight

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Trainer Ted Walsh was left “absolutely shocked” after Any Second Now was given joint top-weight for this year’s Randox Grand National.

The 11-year-old has finished third and second in the last two renewals of the world’s most famous steeplechase and will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden of 11st 12lb next month, after the weights were officially unveiled at an annual event in Liverpool on Tuesday.

Walsh memorably teamed up with his son Ruby to claim Grand National glory with Papillon in 2000, but feels Any Second Now would need to be an “exceptional horse” to add his name to the roll of honour.

“All I can say is that I know he’s not Red Rum, I know he’s not a Crisp and he’s not a L’Escargot, so make your own mind up,” said the trainer.

“I’m absolutely shocked that he has top-weight. He goes there in as good form as he did last year. He is in as good nick as he was last year, but he’s got top-weight so make your own mind up.

“I think he’d have to be an exceptional horse to win it with top-weight.”

Reflecting on his previous National triumph, he added: “Winning with Papillon was great. Winning the National is an outstanding moment, but to have your son on board makes it all the sweeter.”

Any Second Now is joined at the head of the weights by Gordon Elliott’s 2022 Irish Gold Cup victor Conflated and Shark Hanlon’s American Grand National hero Hewick, both of whom are first bound for next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Just below that trio on 11st 11lb are Conflated’s stablemate Galvin and last year’s winner Noble Yeats, trained by Emmet Mullins.

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates winning the Randox Grand National on Noble Yeats
Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates winning the Randox Grand National on Noble Yeats (David Davies/PA)

The latter was last seen finishing third in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham and is now on course for the Gold Cup before an intended bid for back-to-back wins on Merseyside.

Mullins said: “I can’t complain with a rating of 166. It’s 19lb more than last year which will be a big ask, but he seems to have progressed well this year and we know he takes to the fences.

“It’s horses for courses and fingers crossed he can put up a bold show.”

Noble Yeats will aim to become only the second horse in history – after Golden Miller in 1934 – to win the Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year. Mullins, though, is not getting ahead of himself.

“It’s definitely one race at a time,” he said. “You don’t think of the accolades but if he is lucky enough to do it, then he’ll get the accolades that he deserves.

“It’s special to have a horse run in those types of races, a Gold Cup or a Grand National, but to have a horse who you know is good enough to compete in them at the business end – that’s the exciting part and what keeps the yard going.

“I would say it hasn’t really fully sunk in, even now. Winning the National on our first try in the race, it has probably been lost on me how much goes into it and how many other years people have been trying to win the race and not succeeded, so I’d say I’ve been spoilt a bit and it’s hard to comprehend what happened. I’m sure one day it’ll hit me.”

Mullins also has JP McManus-owned The Shunter (10st 11lb) entered, and added: “That’s (weight) about right. He’s still not qualified I think, on the distance, so potentially he might have an entry next weekend.

“I have two or three races earmarked before the deadline and, fingers crossed, I pick the right one and get him qualified. The intention will be to take his place then if he gets qualified.”

The British Horseracing Authority’s chase handicapper Martin Greenwood is the man charged with framing the weights and is thrilled with the strength in depth in this year’s renewal.

He said: “This year we are doing well at the top end for horses rated in the 150s and 160s and there are a handful of very good horses entered, including last year’s winner Noble Yeats.

“Noble Yeats has around 20lb more than last year, but his form this season in Graded races is the reason for that. The three horses at the top of the handicap – Conflated, Any Second Now and Hewick – you would think are all quite likely to run and it’s very positive that the quality of the race at the top end of the handicap is well up to standard.

“There weren’t any horses that caused me any particular difficulties this year – they were all more or less straightforward horses.”

With Henry de Bromhead announcing the retirement of 2021 winner Minella Times, a total of 77 horses remain in contention.

Corach Rambler looks a likely Grand National contender
Corach Rambler looks a likely Grand National contender (Nigel French/PA)

Greenwood suggested the likely rating required to make the final field will be “around 142 or 143”. There are three horses rated 142 in Eva’s Oskar, Rapper and Recite A Prayer, who is 57th on the list.

Noble Yeats is the 10-1 favourite with William Hill, who have trimmed the odds of both Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler (10st 5lb) and the Willie Mullins-trained Mr Incredible (10st 4lb).

Spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “Any Second Now looks to have been set a tough task to go one better than his second place finish last year and as a result he has been eased in our betting to 20-1 from 14-1.

“On the flip side both Corach Rambler (14-1 from 16-1) and Mr Incredible (20-1 from 25-1) have been clipped by our traders. Corach Rambler represents a yard in Lucinda Russell who has won the race recently and remains unexposed at extended trips, which look likely to suit.

“Mr Incredible could end up being the all-conquering Willie Mullins’ first string and is unexposed for the yard.”

National hero Minella Times retired after suffering setback

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Minella Times – the horse Rachael Blackmore created history with when becoming the first woman to ride the winner of the Grand National – has been retired following a setback.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead, the 10-year-old was being prepared for the Aintree spectacular once more, but the problem is serious enough for him to miss the April date and as a result connections have called time on his career.

The JP McManus-owned gelding progressed at a rate of knots in the 2020-21 season, finishing second in two of the biggest handicaps of the season at Leopardstown before powering to glory on Merseyside.

Raised 13lb for that success, he subsequently struggled and was brought down at Valentine’s on the first circuit in last year’s race.

Blackmore, not surprisingly, will always remember that famous afternoon in Liverpool.

She told Betfair: “It’s a day I will never forget.

“He is such a special horse to a lot of people, now he will get to enjoy a wonderful well deserved retirement in Martinstown (McManus’ stud in Ireland).

“Henry and all the team in Knockeen did such an incredible job with him and I will always be grateful for that.”

Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry De Bromhead with the Grand National trophy
Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry De Bromhead with the Grand National trophy (David Davies/PA)

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “We were looking forward to going to the cross-country at Cheltenham with him and back to the National, but he had a mishap – he hurt his shoulder.

“He might need an operation on it to make him comfortable in retirement. It’s just disappointing.

“He gave us a great day. It’s a real shame because Henry was very happy with him and we were looking forward to getting him back for the cross-country and the National again.

“The handicapper hit him very hard for winning the National and he struggled last year, but he had dropped back down a bit so it’s just unfortunate he’s had the accident. Hopefully he’ll be fine to have a good retirement.

“The season he won the National Henry had him in great form, he put up two great performances at Leopardstown before Aintree and everything went smoothly there.

“He got a great ride from Rachael on the day and it was a day none of us will every forget.”

Snowden working out route to National tilt with Ga Law

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Options are open for Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law as he looks to resume his path towards big spring targets.

The seven-year-old hit his stride instantly when starting the season with a second-placed run in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, after which he headed to Cheltenham to contest the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

At Prestbury Park he was a three-quarter-length winner over Mouse Morris’ French Dynamite, a performance that left him well-fancied for the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in late January.

For almost all of the race he looked worthy of his 3-1 joint-favourite status, but a fall at the last robbed him of what appeared a winning chance.

The bay sustained a few cuts as a result, but is now back in full training and could follow a number of paths to high-profile races at the peak of the season.

Ga Law winning the ‘Rising Stars’ Novices’ Chase at Wincanton Racecourse
Ga Law winning the ‘Rising Stars’ Novices’ Chase at Wincanton Racecourse (Michael Steele/PA)

The Grand National has been pencilled in for Ga Law for some time and Snowden would like to aim the bay at Kelso’s Premier Chase in preparation, but if that fixture looms too soon then the Cheltenham Festival may come into the equation.

The horse holds entries for the Ryanair, the Gold Cup and the Ultima Handicap, each one possessing both pros and cons that will have to be discussed by connections.

Snowden said: “He’s bounced out of the Doncaster race, he had a couple of cuts but thankfully they’ve all healed well and he’s back into his normal routine now.

“We’ve got various options with him, if he is going to go to the Grand National then he’s probably got to go the Premier Chase at Kelso.

“That might just come a little bit too soon, so we’ll have a look at Cheltenham as well. He’s got options in the Ryanair, the Gold Cup and maybe a handicap, but he would be carrying a fair bit of weight in the Ultima.

Ga Law with proud connections after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Ga Law with proud connections after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)

“The Gold Cup is obviously a big step up in class, so certainly the Ryanair comes into consideration – especially with Allaho out.

“We’ll have a chat with the owners and work out a plan going forwards.”

The Big Dog on course for Grand National assignment

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The Big Dog has been given a clean bill of health following his fall in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, with trainer Peter Fahey reporting it is all systems go for a tilt at the Randox Grand National on April 15.

Winner of the Munster National on his first start of the season, he followed up by claiming the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November – a victory that had connections dreaming of Aintree in the spring.

He then continued his fine campaign by finishing third off top-weight in the Welsh Grand National before being handed a Grade One assignment at the Dublin Racing Festival earlier this month.

Tasked with tackling the likes of Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs and Stattler, the 10-year-old was more than holding his own and having travelled sweetly throughout, was well in the shake up when coming to grief at the second last.

However, he is none the worse for that tumble and all roads now lead to the Merseyside marathon, where The Big Dog is a general 25-1 shot to continue the dominance of Irish-trained horses in the race.

“It looked like he was going to run a big race when he came down. Where his finishing position would have been I don’t know, but the one thing he was always going to do was stay on from the back of the second-last,” said Fahey.

“We were thrilled with his run and although he had a bad fall, he has come out of it well. We will just build up his confidence now with a bit of jumping and the main aim will be to go to Aintree.

“He’s back working away and exercising away and everything seems fine and all going well, we’ll be at Aintree.

“At the moment we’re not looking at running him again, but we still need to get him back jumping and schooling. If he hasn’t lost his confidence too much, we’d definitely not think about running again. If I think he needs a run to get his confidence back then we will give him one, but I would be leaning towards not running him.”

He went on: “He’s had a busy enough season and we know he goes well fresh. I think he’s done enough and if his jumping is OK after his fall, we’ll head straight to Aintree.

“If all things went well the last day, I think he would have run above his mark again which would have been a big performance and I think he proved he appreciated a bit of nicer ground as well, so there are definitely a few plusses to take out of his run in the Irish Gold Cup.”